Taiwanese missile boat firing HF-II missile
Posted on 07/07/2011 6:31:59 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Taiwan 'tests sub-launched missile' (AFP) – 4 hours ago
TAIPEI — Taiwan has testfired for the first time a locally developed submarine-launched missile designed to counter the threat of China's fast-expanding navy, a report Thursday.
An unknown number of Hsiung Feng II (Brave Wind II) ship-to-ship missiles, developed by the military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, were launched during a drill late last month, the Liberty Times said.
The drill was part of the navy's five-year project to enhance the capabilities of two Dutch-built Sword Dragon class submarines acquired in the late 1980s, it said, citing an unnamed military source.
"Although Taiwan has only two combat-ready submarines, once they are armed with such missiles, they will be able to serve as a deterrent to the Chinese naval fleets," the source said.
Taiwan's navy operates a fleet of four submarines, but only the two Dutch-built ships could be deployed in the event of war. The other two were built by the United States in the 1940s.
The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the report.
Taiwan's military has also put into service land-based and air-launched Hsiung Feng IIs which have a range of 150 kilometres (90 miles).
Tensions between Taiwan and its former rival China have reduced markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party came to power in 2008 on promises of beefing up trade links and allowing in more Chinese
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Taiwanese missile boat firing HF-II missile
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