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Missiles deployed
within striking range of China
CRUISE CONTROL: Although the MND declined to
comment on the reported deployment of HF-2E missiles, a ¡¥Liberty Times¡¦ report
said that the project cost about US$1.02 billion
By Rich Chang / Staff reporter, with AFP
A Cheng Kung-class frigate is
equipped with Hsiung Feng II and III missiles yesterday.
Photo: Lo Tien-pin, Taipei Times
Taiwan has for the first time deployed
cruise missiles capable of striking key military bases along China¡¦s
southeastern coast, media reported yesterday.
Mass production of the indigenous Hsiung Feng-IIE (HF-2E), which has a reported
range of 650km, has been completed and the missiles have come into service, the
Liberty Times (the Taipei Times¡¦ sister newspaper) reported, citing an unnamed
military source.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) declined to comment on the report, but
the paper said the project, codenamed ¡§Chichun¡¨ (¡§Lance Hawk¡¨), cost about NT$30
billion (US$1.02 billion).
Meanwhile, a legislative -committee yesterday approved a bill asking the navy to
equip a new type of fast attack missile boat being developed under the ¡§Hsun Hai¡¨
(¡§Swift Sea¡¨) program with HF-2E missiles.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lin Yu-fang (ªL§¤è) told a Foreign and
National Defense Committee meeting that stealth Hsun Hai missile corvettes
equipped with HF-2Es could launch retaliatory attacks on Chinese military
targets.
He said attacks from the sea provided the advantage of un-predictability, with
better range and angles of attack than land-based launchers.
Lin submitted a bill requesting the navy equip the 450 tonne fast attack missile
boats with HF-2Es.
The bill was approved by the committee.
Deputy Minister of National Defense Chao Shih-chang (»¯¥@¼ý) told the committee
that the military agreed to evaluate the proposal.
Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co won a bid to build prototypes of the fast attack
missile boat, with plans for completion by the end of 2014. According to design
plans, the corvette will also be equipped with HF-3 supersonic anti-ship
missiles.
Meanwhile, Lin said a decision by the ministry to house P-3C marine patrol
aircraft at Pingtung Airbase would cause delays in delivery.
Taiwan has procured 12 P-3Cs from the US, with the first six to be delivered
next year, five in 2014 and the last one in 2015.
However, Lin alleged that construction of the hangars at Pingtung Airbase had
been delayed until 2017, which he said could force a delay in the deployment of
the P-3Cs ¡X aircraft that would play a crucial role in detecting submarines.
Chao denied there would be any delay, adding that the aircraft would use
existing hangars and maintenance systems at Pingtung Airbase.
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