Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Taiwan deploys cruise missiles

13aug05

TAIPEI -- Taiwan has begun deploying home-made cruise missiles on mobile launchers capable of hitting major military targets in southeast China, a newspaper reported yesterday.

The China Times said the Hsiung Feng missiles, which have a range of 1000km, were deployed across the island by the Defence Ministry's new missile command.
The missiles, which each cost 100 million Taiwan dollars ($4 million), were developed by the military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, the paper said.

The institute was also developing cruise missiles with a range of 2000km for further deployment.

The China Times said President Chen Shui-bian had inspected the missile command and witnessed a mock launch of the cruise missiles.

Taiwan reportedly successfully test-fired its first cruise missile earlier this year, which flew more than 500km before hitting its target.

Last month the Pentagon released a report warning that China had deployed up to 730 ballistic missiles aimed at the island.

It said Beijing's defence build-up could tip the military balance against Taiwan and pose a credible threat to other countries in the region.

In a bid to beef up Taiwan's defence capabilities, the Cabinet has approved a revised arms deal worth some $US15.5 billion ($20 billion) to buy weapons from the US, its largest arms supplier.

The arms package over a 15-year period from 2005, pending approval by Parliament, includes eight conventional submarines, a modified version of the Patriot anti-missile system, and a fleet of anti-submarine aircraft.

The huge budget proposal has stirred heated debate on the island, as critics said the spending could further provoke China and heighten cross-strait tensions.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification despite their split in 1949, and has repeatedly threatened to invade if the island declares formal independence. ~ AFP





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