Taiwan Navy Asks for Funds for 8 New Subs

21 Februari 2012

Three countries have offered Taiwan build submarines (photo : Qinetiq)

TAIPEI — Taiwan's navy will ask parliament to fund the purchase of up to eight new submarines within the next two months, reviving an acquisition that has been in limbo for over a decade, local media said Feb. 20.

The navy may not necessarily buy U.S. technology and is looking at three different countries as potential suppliers, the United Daily News reported.

In April 2001, then-U.S. President George W. Bush approved the sale of eight conventional submarines as part of Washington's most comprehensive arms package to the island since 1992.

Since then, however, there has been little progress as the U.S. has not built conventional submarines for more than 40 years, and Germany and Spain had reportedly declined to offer their designs for fear of offending China.

But the United Daily News said new options have emerged lately as three countries have offered either to help Taiwan build submarines or sell the island several German-built submarines. It did not name the three countries.

"Purchasing submarines from the United States has been given top priority in the past years and will remain so in the future," the Taiwan navy said in a response to the report. "But if there are any other sources to provide submarines, they are also welcome."

Taiwan's navy operates a fleet of four submarines, but only two of them, both Dutch-built, could be deployed in the event of war. The other two were built by the U.S. in the 1940s.

Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party came to power in 2008 promising to boost trade links and allow more Chinese tourists to visit the island.

But Beijing still sees the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, even though Taiwan has governed itself since 1949 at the end of a civil war.

China has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should the island declare formal independence, prompting Taipei to seek more advanced weapons.

(Defense News)

Taiwan's 'Carrier Killer' Aims To Sink China's Carrier

11 Agustus 2011

Hsiung Feng III misille (photo : missile defense)

TAIPEI - In the event of war, Taiwan plans to sink China's new aircraft carrier, the Varyag, with its new "aircraft carrier killer" missile, the ramjet-powered supersonic anti-ship cruise missile Hsiung Feng 3. The revelation was made Aug. 10 on the same day China launched the Varyag for its first sea trials.

The disclosure came during a preshow media tour of the biennial Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE). Journalists inspecting the Hsiung Feng 3 were shocked to see a large mural of the Varyag being attacked by three Hsiung Feng 3 missiles. Two of the missiles impact the carrier's starboard bow and starboard quarter, with a third missile is en route to the ship.

THIS MURAL WAS displayed at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition showing Taiwan Hsiung Feng 3 missiles attacking the new Chinese carrrier, Varyag. (photo : Wendell Minnick/DefenseNews)

The mural was reminiscent of similar displays at the 2010 Zhuhai Airshow in China, where anti-ship missiles were depicted attacking and sinking U.S. aircraft carriers.

The unveiling of the display comes at an uncomfortable time for Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou. Since coming into office in 2008, Ma has eased cross-Strait tensions and signed historic economic agreements with China.

Military officials denied that calling Hsiung Feng 3 the "aircraft carrier killer" or displaying a mural of a missile attack on the Varyag were intended to send Beijing a political message. In the past, the Taiwan military often used ambiguous phrases to describe the "enemy" without mentioning China. Therefore, the Hsiung Feng 3 display was out of synch with normal military protocol that avoids enraging China.

Hsiung Feng 3 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile powered by ramjet photo : pakdef)

The military-run Chungshun Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) produces the Hsiung Feng family of anti-ship missiles, including the Tien Kung (Sky Bow) air defense missile and the Tien Chien (Sky Sword) missile.

CSIST is working on a highly classified missile system called the Hsiung Feng 2E, which is reportedly a land-attack cruise missile capable of hitting targets on mainland China. This missile has never been displayed to the public and the military refuses to discuss its existence. Another missile program considered secret is the Tien Chien 2A, which is reportedly an anti-radiation missile designed to destroy ground-based radar systems.

A CSIST official said the Hsiung Feng 3 has been outfitted on the 1101 and 1103 Perry-class frigates for testing. "We began building the Hsiung Feng III around five years ago."

Hsiung Feng II missiles (photo : krblog)

The military might field the missile inland along the coast to fend off a Chinese invasion armada, he said. The Hsiung Feng 3 has a reported range of 130 kilometers.

Also on display at TADTE was the new Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow) air defense missile. The Tien Kung is based on the U.S.-built Patriot missile defense system. Details of its probable deployment are classified.

(DefenseNews)

Taiwan in Stealth Technology Breakthrough: Report

07 Juli 2011

Sea Gull class missile boat (photo : freerepublic)

TAIPEI - Taiwan has developed a radar-absorbent material in a breakthrough in the island's development of stealth technology, local media reported Monday.

Tests showed that a navy 50-tonne Seagull-class missile boat painted with the material was not spotted on a radar screen until it could be seen with the naked eye, the United Daily News said. It is the first time Taiwan has developed such material.

The navy declined to comment on the report.

It was not immediately clear if the material would be used in the navy's fleet of 10 locally manufactured 171-tonne missile boats, whose design is already intended to reduce radar detection.

The ships, which are armed with four Taiwan-made Hsiungfeng II (Brave Wind) ship-to-ship missiles, are intended to replace the aging Seagull-class missile boats, the navy said.

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 tourists.

But Beijing still considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary even though Taiwan has governed itself since China's civil war ended in 1949, prompting Taiwan to continue modernising its armed forces.

(AFP/AsiaOne)

Taiwan Readies Mass Production of Cruise Missiles

12 Desember 2010

Hsiung Feng 2Eland attack cruise missile (photo : asiandefence)

TAIPEI - Taiwan is preparing for the mass production of the Hsiung Feng 2E (HF-2E) land attack cruise missile (LACM) and the Hsiung Feng 3 (HF-3) anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM).

Taiwan's Deputy Defense Minister Chao Shih-chang told legislators on Nov. 8 that production for the two missiles had already begun. Chao made the comments during questioning by the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and Defense Committee. In response to a question about the missiles by legislator Lin Yu-fang of the ruling party Kuomintang (KMT), Chao said the programs, code-named the Chichun (Lance Hawk) and Chuifeng (Chasing Wind), were "progressing smoothly."

An official with the Ministry of National Defense (MND) clarified the confusion over the designations used to describe the programs. "The code names are changed every year or two for security reasons." The Chichun is the HF-2E and the Chuifeng is the HF-3, he said. The source also corrected some media reports that indicated Chao had stated "mass production" had begun. "A few have been produced and could be fielded in case of war," the MND source said.

The military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) produces the Hsiung Feng (Brave Wind) missile family, which includes the HF-1 and HF-2 anti-ship missiles. CSIST is the primary research and development organization for the military. It is also developing a new air-defense missile system, Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow 3), comparable to the Patriot PAC-2 air-defense system.

The HF-3 ASCM was unveiled to the public during the 2007 Ten-Ten (Oct. 10) Parade in Taipei. Defense News later sighted it in January 2008 being outfitted on the1101 Cheng Kung, a Perry-class frigate, at the weapons loading dock at Tsoying Naval Base, Kaohsiung. It was later spotted again on the same frigate earlier this year during a base visit.

Hsiung Feng 3 anti ship cruise missile (photo : china defense mashup)

The HF-2E LACM has been a source of controversy between Taipei and Washington.

There has been pressure by the U.S. to kill the program, according to a Taiwan defense analyst based in Taipei.

However, China continues to deploy more short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) and new cruise missiles along its coast targeting Taiwan. The only alternative is to deploy a counter response to that threat, he said. China currently has roughly 1,300 to 1,500 SRBMs aimed at the island. Taiwan has no offensive missile capability.

The HF-2E could "be a tactical deterrent and strategic bargaining chip in possible military confidence-building measures" with China, said the analyst.

"Should military conflict become unavoidable, firing LACMs from Taiwan could indirectly give the U.S. some flexibility in diplomatic terms," he said. If the U.S. continues to insist Taiwan not have any offensive capability the burden for ground strikes on the Chinese mainland are placed directly on the shoulders of the U.S. military, the analyst said.

(Defense News)

Taiwan Displays Plans For Missile-Carrying Corvette

13 April 2010

Taiwan's high-tech 1,000 ton missile corvettes (photo : Militaryphotos)

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan has unveiled the first images of a high-tech missile corvette specifically designed to counter the threat of China acquiring an aircraft carrier, officials and media said April 12.

A computerized graphic of the 1,000-ton "carrier killer," which has so far been kept secret from the public, has gone on display at Taipei's military museum, run by the defense ministry.

The vessel will be capable of cruising at speeds of up to 34 miles (55 kilometers) per hour and boast technologies helping it to evade radar detection, the Taipei-based Apple Daily reported, citing military officials.

The Taiwanese Navy hopes to arm the corvette with Taiwan's home-grown Hsiungfeng III supersonic ship-to-ship missile, according to the report.

The military museum did not provide any details, while the defense ministry declined to comment on the report.

The report came after the head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau, Tsai Teh-sheng, told parliament in November that China has started building its first aircraft carrier.

Taiwanese military analysts expect China to need at least 10 years to build its first operating carrier group complete with carrier-based fighters and other warships.

But they warn that once the Chinese arms build-up is completed, it will have a far-reaching strategic impact on the region.

Ties between China and Taiwan have improved markedly since China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou became the island's president in 2008, vowing to adopt a non-confrontational policy toward the mainland. But China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

(Defense News)

U.S. Approval of Taiwan Arms Sales Angers China

30 Januari 2010

Taiwan wants to buy F-16 C/D series from US and upgraded their F-16 A/B (photo : Airliners)

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has approved an arms sales package to Taiwan worth more than $6 billion, a move that has enraged China and may complicate President Obama’s effort to enlist Beijing’s cooperation on Iran.

The administration deferred a decision on selling F-16 fighter planes to Taiwan, administration officials said, but they pointedly added that they were not shutting the door to future F-16 sales.

The last time the United States sold F-16s to Taiwan was in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush. In response, China threatened to withdraw from international arms control talks and retaliated, many China experts contend, by selling medium-range missiles to Pakistan.

“We continue to study it,” a senior administration official said of the possible F-16 sales. “We will look at it from the perspective of what its impact would be on Taiwan’s air defense capability.”

The arms package announced Friday is primarily defensive, and includes 114 Patriot missiles worth $2.82 billion, 60 Black Hawk helicopters worth $3.1 billion and communications equipment for Taiwan’s F-16 fleet. The package also includes Harpoon missiles and mine-hunting ships, the Defense Cooperation Security Agency said in a statement.

The Chinese reaction was swift, and negative. China’s vice foreign minister, He Yafei, issued a diplomatic message to the State Department expressing his “indignation” over the pending sale, said Wang Baoding, the spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

“We believe this move endangers China’s national security and harms China’s peaceful reunification efforts,” Mr. Wang said in an interview. “It will harm China-U.S. relations and bring about a serious and active impact on bilateral communication and cooperation.”

China experts said that Beijing was likely to cut off military-to-military cooperation with the United States in retaliation, and that President Hu Jintao might boycott Mr. Obama’s planned nuclear security summit meeting in April.

Taiwan will receive 60 Blackhawk helicopters (photo : Military Today)

The relationship between the two countries may deteriorate more if Mr. Obama meets, as he is expected to, with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Mr. Obama put off meeting with the Dalai Lama last year to avoid angering Beijing before his visit to China in November, a decision that received strong criticism from human rights activists.

Gen. James L. Jones, the national security adviser, said Friday that the announcement should not “come as a surprise to our Chinese friends,” adding that the Obama administration was “bent on a new relationship with China that goes beyond arms sales to Taiwan.” Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, General Jones sought to play down the escalating tensions between the United States and China.

Those tensions have been on full display since Mr. Obama traveled to Beijing in November. While Mr. Obama and Mr. Hu promised to conduct regular exchanges and to work together on a number of issues, they did not reach an agreement on how to move forward on Western efforts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Obama administration officials now say that they view China, not Russia, as the main stumbling block on efforts to get a Security Council resolution that would impose additional sanctions on Iran.

A month after Mr. Obama went to Beijing, China blocked his efforts to reach a meaningful climate change agreement in Copenhagen. China announced this month that it had tested the country’s first land-based missile defense system, a test that Chinese and Western analysts said was timed to convey Beijing’s annoyance over the expected American arms sales to Taiwan. Throughout January, Chinese state news media have produced a torrent of articles condemning the expected sale.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province, separated since the civil war of the 1940s, and sees arms sales as interference in an internal matter. The American relationship with Taiwan is one of the most delicate diplomatic issues between Beijing and Washington.

The deal announced Friday is the second big arms sale to Taiwan in two years. When the Pentagon announced in October 2008, under the Bush administration, that it was selling Taiwan $6.6 billion worth of weapons, China froze military ties with the United States and did not resume the contacts until after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Beijing last February.

On Wednesday, the Pentagon spokesman, Geoff Morrell, urged China not to take that tack again. Responding to a question from a reporter before the sale was announced, Mr. Morrell said that “this relationship is too important to go through the fits and starts that we have over the years, where every little bump in the road results in a breaking of communication and a suspension of dialogue.”

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are both expected to travel to Beijing this year for high-level talks. Administration officials said Friday that they hoped China did not retract those two invitations.

(New York Times)

Taiwan Cuts Military Spending

14 Januari 2010

Taiwanese army (photo : far-maroc)

TAIPEI - TAIWAN has scaled back its military budget for 2010, officials said Tuesday, amid generally warming ties with its former bitter rival China.

Taiwan's parliament, controlled by the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang party, rubber-stamped a budget of NT$297.4 billion (S$12.9 billion) for the defence ministry.
It is a 6.7 per cent fall from the NT$318.6 billion budget in 2009, the Cabinet-level Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said.

Ties between Taipei and Beijing have eased markedly since President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang was elected in March 2008 on a platform to boost trade with the mainland and to allow in more Chinese tourists.

Even so, Taiwan remains wary of China's objectives, often citing more than 1,000 missiles lined up on its coastline facing the island.

The US Defense Department announced last week that it had approved the sale of Patriot missile equipment to Taiwan as part of a package passed by Congress more than a year ago. The arms deal sparked strong protests from Beijing, who warned that the move would violate its security and severely undermine trust between the United States and Chinese militaries.

(Strait Times)

Setelah Pesan Rudal, Taiwan Akan Beli Fregat AS

12 Januari 2010

Oliver Hazard Perry Class (photo : Wiki)

Taipei, Senin - Taiwan berencana untuk membeli delapan fregat kelas Perry bekas AS walau hubungannya dengan China membaik, menurut berita sebuah surat kabar hari Senin.

Negeri pulau itu berharap untuk mempersenjatai fregat bekas itu dengan sistem tempur Aegis versi yang canggih, yang menggunakan komputer dan radar untuk mengambil beberapa sasaran, serta teknologi peluncuran rudal yang canggih, kata China Times.

Kementerian pertahanan mengatakan, sebagai reaksi pada berita itu, bahwa fregat-fregat tua yang sekarang digunakan AL perlu secara bertahap diganti, tetapi kementerian belum memutuskan jenis kapal yang akan menggantikan fregat-fregat tua itu.

”Strategi keseluruhan dari Angkatan Bersenjata akan menjadi pertimbangan saat kementerian pertahanan mengevaluasi rencana itu,” kata kementerian itu dalam sebuah pernyataan, dengan menambahkan bahwa anggaran merupakan faktor pertimbangan lain.

AS merancang fregat kelas Perry pada tahun 1970-an, tapi sebagian besar masih digunakan, dilengkapi dengan berbagai jenis teknologi modern.
Taiwan telah memiliki delapan fregat kelas Perry yang dibuat di pulau itu.

Patriot PAC-3 (photo : Aviation News)

Berita China Times itu muncul kurang dari sepekan setelah Departemen Pertahanan AS mengatakan telah menyetujui penjualan perlengkapan rudal Patriot kepada Taiwan sebagai bagian dari sebuah paket yang telah disahkan oleh Kongres lebih dari setahun lalu.

Ketika diungkapkan tahun 2008, paket itu menimbulkan protes keras dari Beijing, yang menganggap Taiwan sebagai bagian dari wilayahnya dan telah bertekad untuk merebut pulau itu, kalau perlu dengan kekerasan.

Sabtu lalu, China kembali mengulangi penentangannya menyangkut penjualan senjata AS ke Taiwan, dengan menyebut bahwa penjualan senjata itu merupakan tindakan ikut campur dalam urusan dalam negeri Beijing yang bisa merusak hubungan dengan AS.

Komentar Wakil Menlu China He Yafei itu—pernyataan resmi keenam dalam sepekan yang menentang penjualan senjata itu, menurut kantor berita pemerintah—menegaskan kepekaan Beijing pada gagasan bahwa Washington mungkin memberi legitimasi kepada pemerintah pulau itu sekaligus meningkatkan pertahanannya.

Pada pengumuman paling akhir hari Sabtu, He mengatakan, China menyatakan sangat tidak puas pada langkah AS yang memberi kontrak pada perusahaan Lockheed Martin dan Raytheon untuk membuat 263 rudal pertahanan udara PAC-3 dan Sistem Pertahanan Rudal dan Udara Patriot untuk Taiwan.

AS adalah pemasok senjata utama bagi Taiwan walaupun AS telah mengalihkan pengakuan diplomatik dari Taipei ke Beijing pada tahun 1979.(AFP/AP/Reuters/DI)

(Kompas)