The new missile could give the US an advantage in the event of a conflict with Beijing in the South China Sea. This was reported to the Reuters agency by one of the experts.
The missile is called AIM-174B. The US Navy has confirmed that it has entered service. The missile has an ultra-long range of 400 kilometers. This is almost three times the range of a standard American missile. The presence of such weapons means that US aircraft carriers will be able to stay at a distance in order to hit the target.
Australia, a major US ally in the Pacific, will also be able to launch these missiles from its fighter jets.
A Taiwanese expert told Reuters that the missile's long-range strike capability would ensure the safety of American aircraft carriers.