Taiwan is developing missiles that can strike enemy airstrips and lower cruise missiles, and drones that can target shooting areas, according to a report by a military-based militia organization.
Taiwan last year approved T $ 240 billion ($ 8.20 billion) in additional military spending over the next five years as tensions with China, claiming the island as its territory, have skyrocketed and Chinese military planes have repeatedly flown defensively into Taiwan screening area. Taiwan plans to double its annual arrow production capacity to close to 500 this year, the island’s defense ministry said last month, as it expanded its combat capabilities.
Written in report submitted to parliament
In a report submitted to parliament this week, the military-run National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology provided further details on what missiles can be fired and the drones they are building. Hsiung Sheng’s earth-shattering arrow, which experts say could cover up to 1,000km – comes in two versions: one with a heavy-duty warhead to hit the bunkers and strong command centers, and the other with “scatter” weapons to be taken means airport services.
Chieh Chung, a researcher at the Taipei-based National Policy Foundation, said Hsiung Sheng could reach many bases under the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command, including those near Shanghai and Zhejiang province. It could significantly increase the strength of the national army or delay or slow down the Communist forces’ attack on Taiwan, making it difficult for them to achieve a speedy war” he said. The Sky Bow III high-altitude arrow is designed to lower missile and cruise arrows, as well as military jets.
Taiwan’s plans
Taiwan’s plans precede Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the war has sparked discussions about lessons Taiwan can learn from fighting Chinese invasions, including how Ukraine has withstood mathematical power. A Western Taiwanese-based security source said that although Taiwan gets gears like the Harpoon anti-ship arrows from the United States, its missile system will help ensure the island will not rely on foreign sources, as Ukraine has done.
The institute said the drones, Ukraine, which has used them with great success against the Russian military, could attack enemy missile launchers or act as decoys to help target enemy radars. Four new facilities, including infrastructure and repair facilities, will be built in 2025 for new drones, it said.
Department of Defense announced
The Department of Defense has previously announced plans to start producing unspecified “drones” for the purpose of producing 48 such aircraft.
Little has been revealed about locally produced drones. The first batch of US-made MQ-9 Reaper drones, which can be equipped with arrows and operate long distances, will enter service with Taiwan in 2025, the Department of Defense said last month. About 64% of Taiwan’s additional military spending, in addition to the planned military expenditure of T $ 471.7 billion by 2022, will be used for anti-ship missiles as a world-class missile program, including a T $ 148.9 billion mass production program home arrows and “very efficient” ships.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has made modern military development a priority, suppressing defense projects including a new class of strategic warships and submarines growing up at home. Tsai has fought for what he calls “asymmetric warfare” building high-tech, advanced weapons that are difficult to destroy and that can deliver accurate attacks.
Taiwan believes China has thousands of missiles aimed at its territory, while Chinese troops out number Taiwanese troops. China also has nuclear weapons, which Taiwan does not. China has never withdrawn the use of force to bring the island of democracy under its control.
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