Fearing the development of Chinese hypersonic weapons, the U.S. Navy is planning to deploy Patriot missiles on certain ships, aiming to create an additional layer of defense. The PAC-3 MSE interceptors are designed to engage high-speed, maneuverable missiles, increasing the Navy’s capacity to defend against potential attacks on its fleet.
The decision underscores rising Indo-Pacific tensions and China’s rapid military advancements, including the Chinese DF-27 hypersonic ballistic missile, which has a range of up to 5,000 miles and can maneuver to avoid defenses. Previously used to intercept missiles in Ukraine and the Middle East, the U.S.’s PAC-3’s proven effectiveness makes it an attractive choice as the U.S. looks to deter potential threats from Beijing.
