Hypersonic Weapons Race Reshapes Asia's Security Balance

· Security · Singapore

CNA Explains examines hypersonic weapons and why they matter for Asia, after South Korea tested a hypersonic weapon on Oct 8, days after North Korea launched what it claimed was a hypersonic missile. The two tests drew fresh attention to the technology and its implications for regional security. Hypersonic weapons travel at several times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre in flight, making them harder to intercept than ballistic missiles. The piece sets out which countries possess them and how their spread could affect deterrence and stability in Asia, where several militaries are racing to field the capability.

Why it matters：The spread of hypersonic weapons among Asian militaries could undermine existing missile defences and arms-control assumptions, affecting deterrence calculations well beyond the region.

Key points

  • South Korea tested a hypersonic weapon on Oct 8, days after North Korea claimed a hypersonic missile launch.
  • The technology's speed and in-flight manoeuvrability make interception harder than for ballistic missiles.
  • Several countries are pursuing hypersonic capabilities, raising concerns about regional deterrence.

Sources (original reporting)

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