January 9, 2006 :: News
Taiwan has produced three prototypes of a new cruise missile which could be used to strike the east coast of China, reports Jane’s Defence Weekly. The missile, known as the Hsiung Feng 2E (Brave Wind), has a range of more than 600 km (360 miles), meaning that if deployed on Penghu Island in the south or Tungyin Island in the north, it could strike as far south as Hong Kong and as far north as Shanghai. Initial plans are said to be for the production of up to 50 missiles before 2010, and up to 500 missiles beginning after 2010.
Jane’s adds that Taiwan’s military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, the developer of the missile, plans to extend the HF-2E’s range to 1,000 km, although this would require the acquisition of specialized engine components from the U.S. So far, Washington has refused to provide these components, perhaps due to provisions under the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Efforts by Taiwan to begin limited cruise and ballistic missile programs are a response to the bloated missile buildup by their larger Communist neighbor, with now over 700 ballistic missiles and a some hundreds of cruise missiles stationed deployed within range of the small island nation. (Article)
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