Agence France-Presse,
Taipei (AFP): Taiwan is to showcase for the first time two locally developed missiles in a show of strength this week aimed at warning rival China that it is capable of striking back if attacked.
The island's military will unveil the supersonic Hsiung-feng 3 (Brave Wind) ship-to-ship missile and the Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow) anti-missile system at Wednesday's National Day parade, Defence Minister Lee Tien-yu said Monday.
“The display of military equipment is a kind of effective deterrent, so the Chinese communists will be aware that Taiwan is tough,” Lee said last week.
Neither weapon was on display at Monday's rehearsal for the parade, the first of its kind in 16 years, which will see Taipei roll out every advanced weapon in its arsenal as fighter jets fly in formation.
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has repeatedly accused China of provoking the island by targeting it with nearly 1,000 missiles, and the parade appears to be a bid to show Beijing its military might is not to be underestimated.
Tensions between Taipei and Beijing, which considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification, have recently flared over the government's controversial bid to seek a seat in the United Nations.
Jane's Defence Weekly says the Hsiung-feng 3 can be fitted with a variety of guidance systems and function as an anti-ship, land-attack or anti-radar missile.
With a range of at least 130 kilometres (80 miles), the Hsiung-feng 3 has been designed to counter the Russia-made SS-N-22 Sunburn bought by China, said Chang Li-teh, managing editor of the Taipei-based Defence Technology Monthly.
“Since Hsiung-feng 3 is designed to attack targets at a speed of more than mach two, it is very difficult to intercept,” Chang told AFP.
The development of Tien Kung 3 weaponry highlights Taiwan's efforts to develop its own anti-missile shield, known as the Anti Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM) system.
Taiwan has already deployed three batteries of US-made Patriot II anti-missiles to defend the densely populated greater Taipei area and is seeking to buy Patriot IIIs, the improved version of Patriot IIs.
Lee however denied speculation that his ministry would show off the Hsiung-feng 2E cruise missile as “it is still in the development stage.”
Taiwan's cruise missile programme is a highly sensitive topic, as key ally Washington has frowned on the idea of the island engaging in an arms race with China by developing offensive weapons.
Analysts say the Hsiung-feng 2E cruise missile could potentially be used to strike military airports and missile bases in southeastern China and coastal cities such as Shanghai.
The Hsiung-feng 2E, which has a range of at least 600 kilometres, has been successfully test-fired, and Taiwan is building a missile base on the Matsu islands off China's Fujian province, local newspapers have reported.
Wednesday's National Day celebrations will be the last under Chen, who is nearing the end of his second and final term.
“By presiding over such a parade Chen is also intending to tell his fellow countrymen that he is not a lame duck,” said Liu Bih-rong, a professor of political science at Soochow University.
