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China modernizing
missile brigades
HOT PEACE: Defense analysts are at odds over
what is going on in Fujian Province, but satellite imagery is pointing to
deployments of more modern ballistic missiles
By J. Michael Cole / Staff reporter
Despite efforts by the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou (°¨^¤E) to lower
tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese military continues to build up its
missile threat against its neighbor, according to recent reports of
modernization efforts at missile bases in China¡¦s Fujian Province.
Reports late last month said recent US spy satellite imagery had uncovered what
appeared to be evidence of new missile launch pads in Fujian Province, including
in Xianyou in the province¡¦s southeast, directly -opposite Taiwan.
However, according to the latest issue of British defense magazine Jane¡¦s
Defence Weekly, the imagery was likely evidence of modernization of an old
People¡¦s Liberation Army (PLA) missile brigade under direct control of the
Nanjing Military Region rather than new missile bases.
Military analysts suspect that command of the ground support missile brigade at
Xianyou, which became operational in 1993, was recently shifted to the Second
Artillery Corps, which oversees China¡¦s conventional and nuclear ballistic
missile forces.
Prior to falling under control of the Second Artillery¡¦s 52 Base, the missile
brigade around Xianyou comprised about 100 Dong Feng 11 (DF-11) short-range
(300km) ballistic missiles (SRBM).
As part of ongoing modernization efforts, those missiles are now believed to be
in the process of being replaced by the more modern 600km-range DF-11As, Jane¡¦s
said.
The DF-11 is a solid-fuel, road-mobile SRBM carried on transporter erector
launcher (TEL) vehicles.
In earlier reports, Kanwa Asia Defense Review claimed that along with new
equipment, the base may also have been given a new mission, Jane¡¦s reported.
The Second Artillery¡¦s main ballistic missile base in Fujian, 817 Brigade, is
located in Yongan City. Six brigades of DF-11As are believed to be based there.
The brigades at Xianyou and Yongan are part of the PLA¡¦s ballistic missile
force, estimated at 1,500 missiles, targeted at Taiwan, an arsenal that includes
medium-range DF-15s and DF-16s, as well as hundreds of cruise missiles.
Commenting on the imagery, Kanwa Asia Defense Review claimed that two of the new
launch pads were constructed in northern Fujian, with one located 100km
northwest of Fuzhou, less than 260km from Taipei.
At least two launch pads have also been detected on mountaintops in the
Huashuang area, about 270km from Taipei. Yet another launch pad has been spotted
209km from Taipei, which the magazine said was also built prior to 2007 and is
now under the control of No. 820 artillery brigade based in Jinhua, Zhejiang
Province.
However, Gary Li, an intelligence analyst at UK-based Exclusive Analysis, said
that without closer analysis of the imagery, it was impossible to rule out the
possibility that some of the so-called launch pads seen around Fujian were fake
TELs ¡X which the PLA has reportedly been fielding in increasing numbers to
deceive satellites ¡X or long-range multiple rocket launchers such as the PHL-03s
used by the army.
Commenting on the reports, local military experts said China had also
strengthened its ability to protect its ballistic missiles with air-defense
systems.
Ministry of National Defense spokesman David Lo (ù²Ð©M) said the ministry has
stepped up its monitoring of China¡¦s military deployments and movements and
would work out response strategies to protect national security.
The reports come amid news that three Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2)
surface-to-air missile defense units acquired by Taiwan in the late 1990s were
recently returned to Taiwan after being upgraded to PAC-3 configuration in the
US.
Additional reporting by CNA
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