US New Missile AIM-174B: The tension between America and China is not a new thing. There is a competition between the two to overpower and get ahead of each other. China has increased its power in the sea a lot. Due to this America has also started getting worried. In this episode, America has now taken such a step that can tilt the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region in favor of America.

The US has deployed its new long-range air-to-air missile that could potentially disrupt the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific in the US-China 'cold war'. The AIM-174B missile mounted on the US Navy's F-18 Super Hornet is known to have a range of about 400 kilometers.

When was it seen for the first time?

The AIM-174B was first seen during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. The Rim of the Pacific was the world's largest naval exercise with 26 countries. Now this missile has been installed in the Super Hornet.

Know about the AIM-174B missile

The Air Interceptor Missile (AIM)-174B is an air-to-air version of the SM-6 missile. It is readily available due to the existing production line for the SM-6 missile. It has been developed as a counter to the Chinese missiles PL-15, and PL-17. China's PLA Navy has reportedly deployed the PL-17 missile, an advanced version of the PL-15, which has a range of 400 kilometers.

Its range is 400 km

The SM-6 weighs about 1,500 kg, while the AIM-174 weighs about 850 kg due to the lack of a booster motor. This missile is considered a direct counterpart to the Russian Rh-37 Vympel long-range hypersonic air-to-air missile, which has a range of 400 kilometers.

The US and China are massively building new generation stealth fighter jets that can sneak past enemy radars and attack deep inside their territory. The US started with the F-117 Nighthawk fighter bomber, then the F-22 Raptor, and now the F-35, the world's most advanced fighter jet. China is not far behind with its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Chengdu J-20.

Both countries fear long-range missiles

When stealth fighters cannot be caught, then why are countries focusing on long-range air-to-air missiles? The answer is fear. Both countries fear attack from long-range missiles. China can target American fighter planes from a long distance. That is why now AIM-174B has been developed. With which American fighter planes can target Chinese military installations from a long distance.

Collision may occur near the South China Sea

A potential direct military confrontation between the US and China could occur near the South China Sea, a major route for maritime trade and the US Navy. China has threatened a military invasion of Taiwan and in the event of a full-blown Chinese attack, the US is bound by law to defend Taiwan.

If Beijing attacks Taiwan, the US will come even closer to China. The AIM-174B missile will keep its aircraft carriers and fighter jets at a safe distance. Reuters quoted a Taiwanese strategist as saying that this will increase the possibility of the US being directly involved in a military conflict with China over Taiwan. This game-changer missile will take the US further into the South China Sea region, balancing the equation, which is currently in China's favor.

What is the situation in India?

India has developed the air-to-air Astra Mk1 missile which is operational and is fitted on the Su-30MKI fighter jet. The Astra Mk1 has a speed of Mach 4.5 and a range of 100 kilometers. The Astra Mk2 and Mk3 are undergoing testing, but they are far behind the US and China.

The Astra Mk1 is operational on the Su-30MKI, so currently only the IAF operates the missile, but it will later be developed for other aircraft as well. India operates the Russian Novator KS-172 and the French MICA air-to-air missile.