The US is working on cheaper munitions. Should China follow its lead?

China should consider following the US’ lead by investing in low-cost guided munitions to counter future mass drone warfare, according to a Chinese military magazine.

The article said that in 2023, when the Houthis mounted attacks costing less than US$2,000 per shot, the US launched a large number of SM-2/6 missiles, each costing more than US$2.5 million, with the total American outlay rising to a “highly disproportionate” US$1 billion.

In response, the US was working on various cheaper long-range munitions – an idea that the People’s Liberation Army could also pursue.

“The United States urgently needs long-range munitions suitable for large-scale consumption, in a high-low mix to reduce the cost of war,” it said.

“The PLA could also learn from the US concept of low-cost missiles. Low-cost munitions are essential for the PLA to wage large-scale attrition warfare against powerful adversaries. Even if the PLA needs to quickly defeat weaker opponents, it still needs a large quantity of low-cost munitions.”

South China Morning Post