TAIPEI – Taiwan plans to spend 74.8 billion New Taiwan dollars ($2.5 billion) in the next nine years to acquire anti-missile systems to boost its aerial defenses against China, a lawmaker and media said Saturday.
The Defense Ministry aims to purchase the locally-made Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow 3) surface-to-air missile system between 2015 and 2024 to replace the aging Hawk missile systems, said lawmaker Lin Yu-fang of the parliament’s defense committee.
This will be the biggest procurement of domestically-made weapon systems in recent years, Lin said, citing a defense budget plan submitted to parliament for approval on Friday.
The Tien Kung 3 surface-to-air missile system, developed by Taiwan’s Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles for air defense missions and missile interception, according to Lin.
The institute reportedly has spent more than NT$20 billion to develop the anti-missile system since 1996.
Taiwan unveiled the Tien Kung 3 missile to the public at a national day parade in 2007 and tested it during a major missile drill in 2011.
Taiwan’s Apple Daily newspaper quoted former Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu as saying that the Tien Kung 3 system can help intercept China’s cruise missiles and counter the threats of its J-20 stealth fighter to strengthen Taiwan’s aerial defense capabilities.
Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have eased markedly since Ma Ying-jeou became Taiwan’s president in 2008 on a China-friendly platform. He was re-elected in 2012.
But China still considers the self-ruled island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. The two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
Taiwanese experts estimate the People’s Liberation Army currently has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island.
Taiwan to spend $2.5 billion on anti-missile systems against China | The Japan Times
The Defense Ministry aims to purchase the locally-made Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow 3) surface-to-air missile system between 2015 and 2024 to replace the aging Hawk missile systems, said lawmaker Lin Yu-fang of the parliament’s defense committee.
This will be the biggest procurement of domestically-made weapon systems in recent years, Lin said, citing a defense budget plan submitted to parliament for approval on Friday.
The Tien Kung 3 surface-to-air missile system, developed by Taiwan’s Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles for air defense missions and missile interception, according to Lin.
The institute reportedly has spent more than NT$20 billion to develop the anti-missile system since 1996.
Taiwan unveiled the Tien Kung 3 missile to the public at a national day parade in 2007 and tested it during a major missile drill in 2011.
Taiwan’s Apple Daily newspaper quoted former Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu as saying that the Tien Kung 3 system can help intercept China’s cruise missiles and counter the threats of its J-20 stealth fighter to strengthen Taiwan’s aerial defense capabilities.
Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have eased markedly since Ma Ying-jeou became Taiwan’s president in 2008 on a China-friendly platform. He was re-elected in 2012.
But China still considers the self-ruled island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. The two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
Taiwanese experts estimate the People’s Liberation Army currently has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island.
Taiwan to spend $2.5 billion on anti-missile systems against China | The Japan Times
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