Taiwan to deploy new missile defence system by 2015

[SpArK]

Taiwan to deploy new missile defence system by 2015​

Soldiers load a surface-to-air missile named ''Tien-Chien'', or ''Sky Sword'' in Mandarin, onto a launcher during a military exercise at an air force base in Chiayi August 24, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Nicky Loh


(Reuters) - Taiwan will deploy a new missile defence system by 2015 to protect bases from any attack by rival China, an official said on Wednesday, a sign that military distrust still runs deep despite a thaw in trade ties.

The island about 160 km (100 miles) from China is upgrading two batteries and adding four, anchored by Patriot III missiles from the United States, Deputy Defence Minister Andrew Yang said.

China has an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 missiles aimed at Taiwan and has shown no signs of removing them despite repeated calls from officials in Taipei. China, for its part, protests whenever Washington sells arms to the island.

The defence shield due in five years will be able to sight incoming Chinese short-range missiles, Yang said. Its T$40 billion ($1.25 billion) early-warning radar system can also track inbound ballistic and cruise missiles, local media said.

"It's a confidence-boosting measure for Taiwan that we are able to defend ourselves," Yang said, adding that the system would protect "critical military assets".

The two sides have avoided military issues though they have met regularly since 2008 under Taiwan's China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou to discuss trade and transit deals that have boosted the island's $414 billion export-dependent economy.

China, which claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan since the 1940s and has never renounced the use of force to push for reunification, frets over any overt sign of Taiwan's military muscle, especially when backed by U.S. weapons systems.

But as Beijing leads Taiwan in the balance of power, any reaction to the anti-missile system alone is expected to be muted.

Taiwan officials have said that to keep up with China they need more advanced weapons from the United States as well as home-grown arms now being researched.

(Reporting by Ralph Jennings; Editing by Sugita Katyal)

(For more news visit Reuters )

 

[IndianArmy]

China has an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 missiles aimed at Taiwan and has shown no signs of removing them despite repeated calls from officials in Taipei. China, for its part, protests whenever Washington sells arms to the island.

thats probably too much I guess

 

[maxx]

China has an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 missiles aimed at Taiwan and has shown no signs of removing them despite repeated calls from officials in Taipei. China, for its part, protests whenever Washington sells arms to the island.

There was a missile removal offer a while ago.

China missile-removal offer goes unanswered - The China Post

 

[Hafizzz]

thats probably too much I guess

The number was made up by China Hawks in both USA and Taiwan so that the USA could use it as an excuse to sell arms to Taiwan.

 

[happy-man]

May i ask from the PRO's here.What kind of performance does Patriot give?

I mean is it good ?

 

[IndianArmy]

May i ask from the PRO's here.What kind of performance does Patriot give?

I mean is it good ?

Well Patriot Is a Good System as a Whole but has Pretty Less to offer, Like You see Patriot does not give You a Package to Use it everywhere, It is restricted to certain Locations and Cannot Protect Moving Convoy of Vehicles , Patriot has a thrust only for the first 12 seconds, after that the missile coasts and Its certainly is a Draw back for a Missile of such caliber......

 

[ao333]

This is halarious; it's simply going to aggregate the situation by provoaking the mainland Chinese to develop better missiles, which would become a bigger threat to all hostile neighbours of China. I don't think patriots alone will be enough to take out newer PLA land-based cruise missiles. Although it might be able to neutralize some less advanced missiles placed there since the 90s, I don't think it'll make a difference with all the new S-300PMUs there.

 

[Paan Singh]

brave move

 

[dingyibvs]

May i ask from the PRO's here.What kind of performance does Patriot give?

I mean is it good ?

It doesn't really matter. It costs a lot and Taiwan doesn't have enough of them, so even if it has a guaranteed 100% accuracy it's not gonna make a difference.

 

[siegecrossbow]

It doesn't really matter. It costs a lot and Taiwan doesn't have enough of them, so even if it has a guaranteed 100% accuracy it's not gonna make a difference.

It is there to guarantee the DPP a good night's sleep.