China’s military capabilities are growing at a pace that matches the country’s rising belligerence. No wonder, then, that neighboring countries, chief among them Taiwan, are finding it necessary to improve their defensive capabilities.
Facing an increasing threat from China, embodied by incursions by military aircraft and the newly-developed Type 075 amphibious assault ship, Taiwan’s defense ministry is planning to deploy shore-based anti-ship missile installations.
Defense Ministry Spokesperson Shi Shun-wen says that because of the sensitive nature of the information, no details on the project or locations can be disclosed.
However, some details were made public during a budget review at Taiwan’s legislature. Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile systems will be installed in nine locations, including New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Chiayi. The expansion project will also include two garages, a command center, a logistics center, and living quarters.
Taiwan will also deploy at least 20 squadrons armed with Harpoon missiles purchased from the US. The Hai Feng Anti-ship Missile Group will see its bases in New Taipei, Danshui, and Sanzhi moved to the expanded headquarters of the group in Taichung’s Qingshui district. The total cost of these upgrades will exceed NT$160 billion. However, there are doubts among the legislators whether the project can be completed on time, or even at all.
The director of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, one of Taiwan’s leading developers of weapon systems, says that preparations are under way to meet the expected peak in missile manufacturing in 2023.
This is welcome news in a country facing increasing pressure on its national defense capabilities.