Posted on 10/19/2014 10:34:14 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Taiwan's navy successfully test-fired two anti-ship missiles from a submarine, in the first such exercise since the weapons were acquired from the United States. The Harpoon missiles were launched from Hai Hu (Sea Tiger), a Dutch-built conventional submarine, during a drill last week, the Liberty Times and the United Daily News said, citing unnamed naval sources.
The navy started taking delivery of the missiles last year to arm two submarines.
The missiles, which have a range of 278 kilometers, would boost the attack capabilities of the two submarines previously only armed with torpedoes with a limited range, naval sources were quoted as saying.
The defense ministry declined to comment on the reports. Taiwan, which already has Harpoons installed on frigates and F-16 fighter jets, ordered the submarine-launched missiles in 2008, as part of a US$6.5 billion (HK$50.7 billion) arms sale that sparked strong protests from Beijing.
The deal also included advanced interceptor Patriot missiles and Apache attack helicopters.
Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the mainland-friendly Kuomintang came to power in 2008, promising to boost trade links.
(Excerpt) Read more at thestandard.com.hk ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.