Taiwan's Full-fledged Arms Buildup

Donga Ilbo ^ | 04/02/04 | Hwang Yoo-sung,Cho hun-joo,Kim young-sik

[TigerLikesRooster]

The following is my translation of a portion of the longer article in Korean from Donga Ilbo, a major S. Korean daily. The title of the longer article is, when translated, 'China, "can't take it anymore", U.S., "feels obligated to help Taiwan"'

/begin translation

Taiwan's Full-fledged Arms Buildup

On Jan. 1st, 2004, Taiwan's military activated the new Missile Command, to counter the threats of Chinese missiles.

It was part of the biggest reorganization in the 80 year history of Taiwanese military. The command would eventually become the fourth branch of military, on the equal standing with army, navy, and airforce. It will operate from the army's general headquarters. The command is similar to the China's 2nd Artillery Corps, the Chinese strategic missile force.

The new command took over the Army's air defense units, whose arsenal include PAC-2, Tien-Kung(SAM), Hawk, and Nike missiles, as well as the Naval anti-ship missile units which field Hsiung-feng 1,2.

The creation of the new missile command reflects the policy of Taiwan independence, championed by the president-elect Chen Sui-bian. In the event of China-Taiwan military confrontation, the command is not only tasked with the defense against incoming Chinese missiles, but also with the pre-emtive strike of the strategic targets in the mainland China such as the Three Gorge Dam.

The British Defense Magazine, Jane's Missile and Rocket, reported that, as part of her 10 year development plan, Taiwan plans to develop and deploy 30 medium-range missiles with the range of 2,000km, and 120 short-range missiles with the range of 1,000km.

According to some analysis, America quietly supports the creation of the Taiwan's new Missile Command. America wants to build a missile defense system against China, which includes Taiwan and Japan, and tries to sell PAC-3 which is the core component of the system.

American Defense Department reported to the Congress on Mar. 31, 2004, that it approved the sale of an early warning anti-missile radar system to Taiwan. This radar can detect both ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, using ultra high frequency waves. It has the price tag of 1.78 billion dollars. Taiwan has wanted the purchase of the radar since 1,999.

/end translation

[TigerLikesRooster]

Links to related articles

Missile Command - Taiwan Military Agencies

Military revamps missile command - Taipei Times

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[TigerLikesRooster]

More related links:

US-Taiwan radar deal angers China

U.S. to Sell Long-Range Radar Gear to Taiwan

[Fitzcarraldo]

Taiwan is what Red China COULD be like, if it opted for FREEDOM.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[Filibuster_60]

Bet on a preemptive strike against Taiwan's missile-producing facilities as part of any Chinese attack. Beijing must nip this one in the bud - otherwise it'll have to depend on the unproven ABM capabilities of the S-400. China will also make it clear that an attack on Three Gorges will result in the nuking of Taipei.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #6

China will also make it clear that an attack on Three Gorges will result in the nuking of Taipei.

The bottom line seems to be that Taiwan wants to set up MAD against China. As you said, China won't tolerate it, though. However, that does not necessarily mean that Taiwan would back down. Joining American MD system against China is one of the cards they can use.

[Filibuster_60]

The MAD scenario won't be a good choice if, as it increasingly appears, China is determined to wage a precision-style campaign. The PLA's ballistic missiles opposite Taiwan are all armed with conventional warheads and I doubt Taiwan's own missiles will be nearly as accurate. And yes, Taiwan can join the TMD system, but a big commitment there will definitely undercut its offensive missile programs. Each PAC-3 interceptor is several times as expensive as a single PLA missile, and the PAC-3's performance against large, slow Al-Samouds in Iraq isn't the best indication of how it'd perform against the 2nd Artillery's sleek DF-15 warheads.

IMO limited military action against Taiwan is likely within next 2-3 years, probably in the form of seizing the outlying islands as well as the Pescadores. We have good reason to warn Taiwan not to get too many big ideas too soon.

[tallhappy]

MO limited military action against Taiwan is likely within next 2-3 years,

Let's see. How long have I been hearing people say that...For more than 2 to 3 years.

[abraxas_sandiego]

What about Taiwanese NUKES???? I would imagine that a nation like Taiwan with so much intellectual and industrial capital could come up with something pretty quick---maybe they do already??????