Missile unit deployed in Taipei after getting upgraded in US: report

The China Post ^ | 3/5/2012 | The China Post

[U-238]

The first batch of the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) missile launchers that Taiwan previously sent to the United States for upgrade has been secretly sent back to the country after being upgraded to the more advanced PAC-3 configuration, according to the United Evening News (UEN) report yesterday. The upgraded surface-to-air guided missile defense system is currently being deployed in Taipei's Nangang District (南港區) to meet the air defense need in the capital city, according to the report.

The PAC-3 unit will be ready to use when necessary in response the scheduled North Korean rocket launch later this month, a issue that has already raised grave concerns among China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the U.S, the UEN said.

The newly upgraded missile defense system is one of the three PAC-2 systems Taiwan currently has that the U.S. previously agreed to help upgrade.

Aside from sending the existing systems for improvement, the Taiwan military also bought a total of six brand new PAC-3 missile programs to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

Unidentified military sources said the missile defense systems will also be placed at New Taipei's Xidian (新店) and Wanli (萬里) districts once they have completed upgrades in the future, the UEN said.

Meanwhile, newly purchased PAC-3 programs, once acquired, will be stationed at air bases in central Taichung, southern Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohisung cities, the report said.

The new fully operational PAC-3 provides advanced defenses against enemy cruise missiles and aircraft, and unlike previous systems, tactical ballistic missiles, the report said.

[TEXOKIE]

bfl

[blueplum]

Hillary’s office leaking info again?

[R. Scott]

… has been secretly sent back …

Not much of a secret.