Taiwan to soon mass produce extended-range air-to-air missiles: source
ROC Central News Agency
08/04/2021 06:53 PM
Taipei, Aug. 4 (CNA) An extended-range version of Taiwan's indigenous Tien Chien II "Sky Sword" missile has undergone successful testing and will soon enter mass production, as part of the country's efforts to counter China, a military source told CNA Tuesday.
The goal is to equip the Air Force's Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) jets with the extended-range missiles, which would serve as a more powerful deterrent to China's frequent incursions into the air space near Taiwan, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The latest version of the Tien Chien air-to-air missiles has an extended range of 80 kilometers, as compared to the 60 km-range of the current ones, according to the source.
Meanwhile, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), which is developing the new version of the missile, confirmed that the required combat tests and evaluations have been completed.
Mass production of the upgraded Tien Chien II missile will proceed in accordance with the military's plan, the NCSIST told CNA, without elaborating.
While neither the NCSIST or the military source were willing to disclose when mass production of the new missile is likely to begin, local media reports have speculated that it could be as soon as next year.
Taiwan's Air Force has ordered 250-300 of the upgraded Tien Chien II missiles, at a cost of NT$30 million (US$1.07 million) each, and they will be mounted on the country's 129 IDFs, the reports said.
As part of the missile upgrade project, the IDF jets have been retrofitted to carry four instead of two Tien Chien II missiles, which will significantly increase their firepower, according to the reports.
(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)
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