Taiwan To Develop 'Blackout Bomb'
October 22, 2007
Taiwan may develop a non-lethal graphite bomb designed to disable rival China's power supplies, according an October 21 report by the United Daily News. The so-called "blackout bomb" would be carried by Hsiungfeng 2E cruise missiles, and in the outbreak of hostilities would be designed to paralyze the power systems of China's southeastern coastal cities. The proposed warheads, which have yet to be funded by the Taiwan parliament, would sprinkle a cloud of chemically treated carbon fibers over power supplies, causing them to short-circuit, but without killing people. The United States is said to have used a similar graphite bomb against Iraq in the Gulf War, wiping out 85 percent of its electrical supply. (Article, Link)
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Taiwan to Deploy Home-Grown Missile Shield
September 13, 2006 :: AFP :: News
Taiwan will introduce a new home-grown missile defense shield next year, reports the AFP. The article quotes Taiwan’s Apple Daily newspaper, which states that the shield, known as the Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM), is “expected to effectively counter the threat of China’s M-9 [CSS-6/DF-15] and M-11 [CSS-7/DF-11] ballistic missiles.” The system is believed to have evolved from Taiwan’s existing Tien Kung (Sky Bow) surface-to-air missile, and will eventually comprise 12 ATBM missiles batteries and an uncertain number of U.S.-made Patriot missiles and early warning radars. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Taiwan
» Missile details: CSS-6, CSS-7
Taiwan Indicates PAC-3 Purchase
September 13, 2006 :: AFP :: News
Ex-Premier Yu Shyi-kun, chairman of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, held talks with Bush administration officials yesterday and assured them that a much-delayed deal to purchase U.S. weapons would be approved by the new Taiwanese legislature. “I really have much greater confidence that during the next session when the [legislature] reconvenes [September 19], it will be passed,” Yu told a news conference after the White House meeting, quoted by the AFP. He did not give any details of the package, although Taiwan’s 2006 National Defense Report called for the purchase of six Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air/missile defense systems, as well as eight conventional submarines and 12 P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft for a price of around 340 billion Taiwan dollars ($10.8 billion). In July, Beijing warned Washington not to proceed with the reported deal, indicating such weapons sales would impact regional security and harm U.S.-Chinese relations. (Article, Link)
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» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Jane’s Profiles Taiwan’s Hsiung Feng-3 Anti-ship Missile
August 3, 2006 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
The September 1 issue of Jane’s Navy International includes a profile of Taiwan’s Hsiung Feng-3 (HF-3) anti-ship cruise missile. Designed and produced by the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the HF-3 is believed to be a supersonic variant of the Hsiung Feng-2, with an increased range that some sources claim exceeds 600 km. If true, the HF-3 would be able to strike a number of Chinese naval facilities including Shantou, Xiamen, Sandu, and Xiazhen. Jane’s classifies the HF-3 as an anti-ship missile that will be deployed on Taiwan’s Cheng Kung and Kang Ding-class frigates. The lead Cheng Kung-class frigate, the Cheng Kung, was seen at the Suao Naval Base in northern Taiwan, fitted with four HF-3 missile launch tubes. Yet local media reports suggest that the HF-3 might also serve as the basis for a surface-to-surface cruise missile capable of striking targets within China. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has denied these reports, claiming that the HF-3 program is strictly limited to the development of a supersonic anti-ship missile. Jane’s reports that Taiwan has allocated funds for the production of 120 HF-3 missiles this year, according to the Ministry of National Defense. (Link)
» More stories on: Cruise Missiles, Taiwan
Taiwan to Upgrade to Tien Kung-2 SAM
July 31, 2006 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
Taiwan plans to retire its Tien Kung-1 (Sky Bow-1) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and upgrade to the Tien Kung-2 (Sky Bow-2), reports Jane’s Missile and Rockets in the August 1 issue. The Tien Kung-1 was developed by the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology during the 1980s, and entered service in 1993. It is a single-stage, medium-range SAM similar to the U.S. Patriot interceptor. The Tien Kung-2 is an improved Tien Kung-1 with an active-radar terminal seeker, rather than the semi-active seeker used by its predecessor. The Tien Kung-2 is reportedly longer and heavier than the Tien Kung-1, with a range of 120 km. It is believed to carry a 90 kg high explosive warhead. Jane’s also reports that Taiwan has developed a surface-to-surface variant of the Tien King-2 known as the Tien Chi (Sky Halberd). Based on reports from the Chung Shan Institute, the Tien Chi has a range of 300 km and can carry a 500 kg payload. (Link)
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» Missile details: Trident C-4
Taiwan Test Launches PAC-2 Interceptors, Destroys Target Missile
July 20, 2006 :: AFP :: News
Taiwan launched two Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) interceptors as part of its largest-ever, live-fire military exercise. The AFP reports that the U.S.-made Patriots were fired from mobile launchers on a beach off the northeastern city of Ilan, and successfully shot down an incoming target missile launched some 30 km (18 miles) away. The military exercises, codenamed Han-Kuang 22, simulated a Chinese invasion and also included fighter jets and ground troops. “This is the first time Patriot missiles were launched before the eyes of the public … to show our determination to safeguard Taiwan,” said President Chen Shui-bian afterwards. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Allies, Taiwan, Testing - Foreign
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Chen: China Has 820 Missiles Aimed at Taiwan
July 17, 2006 :: AFP :: News
China has 820 ballistic and cruise missiles currently aimed at Taiwan, according to Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian. Speaking today at a forum of Japanese scholars in Taipai, Chen stated that the People’s Liberation Army had deployed 784 ballistic and 36 cruise missiles, adding that the number of missiles is rising at a rate of 120 per year.
Chen’s figures are in line with those of the Pentagon’s 2006 Report to Congress on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, released in May 2006, which estimated the number of Chinese CSS-6 and CSS-7 short-range ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan as numbering 710-790, an increase over the previous year’s 650-730 missiles. In his statement, President Chen noted that a ten-hour Chinese bombardment could paralyze Taiwan’s communications, transportation, and command centers. He added that China has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should it declare formal independence. (Article, Link)
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» Missile details: CSS-6, CSS-7
Taiwan to Test Launch Missile Capable of Hitting China
July 6, 2006 :: Reuters :: News
Taiwan plans to test launch a Hsiung Feng-3 short-range ballistic missile capable of hitting China, reports Reuters. According to an online report by the Taiwanese cable news network ETTV, the missile was developed by Taiwan’s Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology and has a range of 600 km (360 miles). If accurate, the range would put Chinese coastal areas from Fuzhou in Fujian Province to Nan’ao in Guangdong within striking distance of the missile. China has already deployed nearly 800 short-range missiles aimed at Taiwan. The ETTV report speculated that the Hsiung Feng-4 test launch might take place in September. (Article, Link)
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CSIS Report on Taiwan’s Vulnerability to Chinese Missiles
April 17, 2006 :: UPI :: Analysis
The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a prominent Washington think tank, recently published a report highlighting Taiwan’s anti-ballistic missile vulnerabilities. The report, entitled “The Paths Ahead: Missile Defense in Asia,” was prepared by Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Clinton, and CSIS senior fellow Jeremiah Gertler. It argues that the cost of deploying missile defenses far exceeds China’s cost of producing large numbers of old-fashioned, lower-tech missiles which could swamp Taiwan’s defenses.
Campbell and Gertler predict that in the event of a Chinese attack, Taiwan’s interceptors would be outnumbered six or seven to one. In addition, new Chinese anti-ship cruise missiles, submarines, and fast-attack boats are creating the capability to push U.S. Aegis-equipped warships out of missile defense range, leaving Taiwan entirely dependent on its ground based Patriot systems.
The report also paints a grim picture of a Taiwanese public, political elite, and military deeply divided over the subject of missile defense. It describes the issue as “unusually polarizing” within the public, adding that opposition political parties view missile defense as “a provocation to China” and an “obstacle to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” In addition, the report points out major divisions within the Taiwanese armed forces, with the Army opposed to missile defense, the Navy in favor, and the Air Force still divided. (Article, Link)
» CSIS Report: “The Paths Ahead: Missile Defense in Asia”
» More stories on: Analysis, China, Taiwan
Taiwan Official: 820 Chinese Missiles, 20,000 Troops Killed
March 29, 2006 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
A Chinese ballistic missile attack could kill some 20,000 Taiwanese troops, according to Taiwan’s Vice Defense Minister Chu Kai-sheng. Speaking at a session of the Legislative Yuan on Wednesday, Chu quoted an estimate made in a Hankuang drill that if the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fired ballistic missiles at Taiwan in five consecutive ways, which would take about half a day, between 20,000 and 30,000 Taiwanese armed forces personnel would be killed or wounded. At present, China is said to have some 820 ballistic missiles (excluding cruise missiles) aimed at Taiwan. (Article, Link)
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