Taiwan boosts missile systems
Taiwan readies three missile systems for ‘asymmetrical warfare,’ defense analysts say
TAIPEI— Taiwan is developing missiles and interceptors of its own in response to China’s arms buildup, defense experts said. Since 2016, Taiwan has deployed one set of missiles, perfected another and sped production of a third, the analysts said. While Beijing has an overwhelming military advantage, Taipei’s missile systems advance its odds of holding off China in asymmetrical warfare.
TAIPEI— Taiwan is developing missiles and interceptors of its own in response to China’s arms buildup, according to defense experts.
Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, Taiwan has deployed one set of missiles, perfected another and sped production of a third, the analysts said.
The move was apparently in response to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s hard line against Taiwan separatists and the military training missions around the democratic island.
Response to Beijing
To pressure Tsai into meeting its demands, Beijing has flown military aircraft near the island a dozen times and passed China’s only functioning aircraft carrier through the 160-kilometer ocean strait separating them.
While Beijing has an overwhelming military advantage, Taiwan’s missile systems advance its odds of holding off China in asymmetrical warfare, said Alexander Huang, strategic studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan.
The term refers to effective resistance of an enemy with targeted firepower rather than overwhelming force.
Lopsided defense
“Taiwan with limited resources can only invest in the area that would create some kind of asymmetrical advantage, which would dissuade the Chinese from taking actions,” Huang said.
“President Tsai has committed more or at least expressed willingness to invest more in the asymmetrical capability,” he added.
The Taiwan-made Hsiung Feng IIE missiles have been deployed to hit military bases in Chinaupto 1,500 kmaway, said David An, senior research fellow at Taiwan Institute in Washington.
Military experts call the deployment of the Hsiung Feng IIE missiles likely.
“It has been successfully de- veloped,” said Andrew Yang, a former Taiwanese defense minister and current secretary general of the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies think tank. “They’ve test fired many times and called it successful.”
Systems upgrade
Those missiles also underwent a “substantial upgrade” last year to increase their effectiveness against ships, An said.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has stepped up production of its indigenous Wan Chien air-toground cruise missiles by about 100, An added.
US long-range radar
Backing up those improvements, the locally developed Tien Kung system can now intercept Chinese missiles at ranges of up to 200 km, An said.
A long-range early warning radar system, acquired from the United States, would track incoming missiles or aircraft from Taiwan’s mountain range.
“They are looking more at building their land-based military capabilities,” said Collin Koh, maritime security research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Diplomatic disruption
Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou eased tensions during his 2008-2016 term by allowing talks with China on Beijing’s terms, but frictions have resumed under Tsai.
Taiwan’s current missiles can probably hit ships and sink transport vessels, An said.
Taiwan should also focus on amphibious landing, which China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy “has not demonstrated the ability to do without significant cost,” he said.
“Taiwan’s greatest promise is the hope that the United States and its allies could decide to assist Taiwan if and when Taiwan is under threat,” An said.