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Taipei, Nov. 16 (CNA) The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CIST), the Republic of China military's research arm, said on Tuesday it has made breakthroughs in developing anti-tactical missile defense system.

Chao Yao-ming, director of the CIST's anti-ballistic missile (ATBM) defense system research project, said the low-altitude missile defense system is expected to be ready for mass production and deployment by 2005 or 2006.

Chao said the locally developed low-altitude missile defense system has functions similar to the US-build Patriot III anti-missile defense system.

Chao further said the CIST-developed system can effectively intercept mainland China's M-9 and M-11 low-altitude guided missiles as well as cruise missiles.

According to Chao, the indigenous anti-missile defense system was based on the Tienkung (Sky Bow) air defense system.

"Based on Tienkung, we tried to enhance its capability, with hopes that it will be able to intercept ballistic missiles and cruise missiles," Chao said.

He further said the indigenous anti-missile defense system successfully intercepted a drone flying at an ultra-low altitude during a test in September.

Chao also revealed that research and development on the new system's missile intercepting system is almost completed, while its long-range early-warning radar system is still under development. "We will use a new designing technology to ensure accuracy and increase preparation time," he added.

Chao said he is confident that the indigenous low-altitude anti-missile defense system won't be inferior to similar weaponry systems produced by advanced countries in terms of both performance and production costs.

Military sources said Taiwan felt an urgent need to develop an anti-missile defense system after mainland China lobbed ballistic missiles into the shipping lanes off Taiwan in the run-up to the ROC's first direct presidential election in March 1996 to intimidate Taiwan voters. The crisis ended only after the United States sent two aircraft carrier battle groups to waters near Taiwan. (By Sofia Wu)