| Country: |
Taiwan |
| Class: |
MRBM |
| Basing: |
Surface based |
| Warhead: |
conventional explosives |
| Range: |
1000-1500 km |
| Status: |
Development |
Details
Very little is known about the Ti Ching missile program. The concept of the project is to extend Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan’s defense out to the 1,000 km to 1,500 km range. This will greatly bolster the ability of the Taiwanese to defend against aggression from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The design is that of a medium-range, ground-based, solid-propellant ballistic missile.
The Ti Ching would likely be used against strategic targets in the PRC mainland. As the payload and accuracy is unknown, it is impossible to state whether it would be better suited for use against civilian or military targets. As current ROC doctrine relies on the United States for a nuclear deterrent, the design of the weapon will likely be such that it can be used with conventional weapons against distant strategic military targets. It will probably be used to undermine the ability of the PRC to invade the island of Taiwan, by striking targets such as staging areas, airfields, radar facilities, etc.
A preliminary test was reported in September 2003; the missile reportedly flew 900km. A 2005 report suggested that 120 MRBM were planned, although the Taiwanese Defense Ministry denied this report. The project has probably been cancelled or temporarily suspended. (1)
Footnotes
- Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2009) 179.
