Exclusive: China Debuts CM-98 Stealth Cruise Missile to Challenge US JASSM and European Storm Shadow.

At the 15th Airshow China, currently underway in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC) unveiled its CM-98 Stealth Multi-purpose Missile Weapon System. The CM-98 represents China’s latest development in air-launched, standoff stealth cruise missile technology and marks a significant addition to CASIC’s lineup, which also includes supersonic and hybrid (subsonic/supersonic) cruise missiles.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The CM-98 stealth cruise missile, unveiled by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) at AirShow China 2024, showcases advanced standoff capabilities designed to rival Western missiles like the U.S. JASSM and European Storm Shadow. (Picture source: China Social Network)

The CM-98, designed to fulfill international market demand, showcases advanced stealth technology to enhance the missile’s ability to penetrate enemy defenses. The system is developed for standoff engagements, meaning it can strike targets from a distance that keeps the launch platform—likely an aircraft—well outside enemy air defenses.

According to information from CASIC, the CM-98 is intended for high-value land and maritime targets, including airport runways, aircraft aprons, weapons storage sites, command centers, and large surface ships. The missile’s key features include high stealth penetration to reduce radar detectability, anti-jamming technology to withstand electronic warfare, a wide flight envelope for flexible flight paths, and high-performance destruction with a warhead weighing at least 385 kg. With a maximum range of 298 km, the CM-98 allows aircraft to engage targets from a standoff distance, reducing the risk to the launch platform and enabling strikes outside immediate defense zones.

The CM-98 has been developed for round-the-clock, all-weather operations, ensuring mission capability in diverse environmental conditions. CASIC emphasized the missile’s ease of maintenance and support, emphasizing operational efficiency and sustainability, which is essential for domestic and export markets.

In terms of capabilities, the CM-98 can be compared to Western standoff cruise missiles such as the U.S. AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the European Storm Shadow/SCALP missile, developed jointly by MBDA for the UK and France. Like Western systems, the CM-98 prioritizes stealth, standoff range, and precision targeting for strategic strikes. While the U.S. JASSM has a range exceeding 370 km and the European Storm Shadow can reach approximately 560 km, the CM-98’s range of 298 km is relatively shorter. However, CASIC may be aiming at a different operational profile or adhering to range limitations to comply with international regulations on missile export.

Both the JASSM and Storm Shadow feature advanced guidance systems for low radar observability, and the CM-98 appears designed to match these capabilities with anti-jamming features and high stealth penetration. This reflects China’s progress in developing high-tech missile systems competitive with Western designs.

CASIC has positioned the CM-98 for international markets, indicating China’s intent to expand its presence in the global defense industry. The missile’s versatility, coupled with its advanced stealth features, make it an attractive option for countries seeking an affordable yet effective solution for standoff land-attack capabilities. With a variety of platforms potentially capable of launching the CM-98, CASIC is poised to attract buyers interested in upgrading their long-range strike options.

The CM-98’s debut underscores China’s ongoing investments in sophisticated missile technology and its ambition to become a leading global supplier of high-tech defense equipment. By offering competitive alternatives to Western systems, China seeks to capture a share of the international missile market, particularly in regions where cost and export restrictions make Western options less feasible.

The unveiling of the CM-98 at Airshow China 2024 marks a significant step in China’s defense capabilities and highlights CASIC’s commitment to advanced missile development. With features that rival some of the best Western standoff missiles, the CM-98 stands as a testament to China’s increasing technological sophistication in stealth and standoff weaponry. As it enters the market, the CM-98 could shift the landscape of available options for standoff strike capabilities, offering countries an alternative to established Western missile systems.