July 13, 2017
The Yun Feng is a surface-to-surface, supersonic cruise missile. It is one of the few Taiwanese strategic assets designed to reach targets deep in northern and central China. Yun Feng Development Following the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, Taiwan began developing the Yun Feng missile in secret, concealing flight tests within the Hsiung Feng III test...
July 13, 2017
The Hsiung Feng IIE is a subsonic land-attack cruise missile. It is among Taiwan’s longest range missiles, and is the only one of Taiwan’s Hsiung Feng cruise missile variants specifically designed for land-attack missions. Hsiung Feng IIE Development The Hsiung Feng IIE program likely started in 2001 to give Taiwan the ability to strike targets...
July 13, 2017
The Wan Chien is an air-to-ground, subsonic cruise missile developed by Taiwan. The missile program first came to light in 2005 and is currently operational in small numbers. Wan Chien Development The Wan Chien missile program began around 2000, led by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). The weapon is designed for...
July 13, 2017
The Hsiung Feng III is a supersonic antiship cruise missile. It is Taiwan’s first supersonic missile, and marks the third and latest variant developed within Taiwan’s Hsiung Feng cruise missile family. Hsiung Feng III Development Taiwan began the Hsiung Feng III program in 1994 to counter the growing number of China’s surface vessels and its...
July 13, 2017
The Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) is a Taiwanese subsonic antiship cruise missile. It is the second variant developed within the Taiwan’s Hsiung Feng series, and has a range of 100-120 km. An extended-range variant is in development. Hsiung Feng II Development While developing the Hsiung Feng I, Taiwan sought to acquire a longer-ranged antiship cruise...
July 13, 2017
The Tien Chi is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by Taiwan. Its short 120 km range makes it incapable of striking China from mainland Taiwan, but it is likely forward-deployed to nearby island positions within striking distance. Tien Chi Development The Tien Chi’s development history remains obscure. Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and...
July 13, 2017
The Hsiung Feng I / IA were Taiwanese subsonic antiship missiles based on Israel’s Gabriel missile. They were the first variants developed within the Taiwanese Hsiung Feng missile family, and had a maximum range of 40 km. The Hsiung Feng I only saw two years of service before being replaced by the IA model. The...
June 14, 2018
Taiwan’s missile program makes up a substantial element of its deterrence posture against the People’s Republic of China (PRC), its primary security concern. Historically, Taiwan has limited the composition of its missile forces to mostly defensive assets, such as antiship cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles. Taiwanese leaders have generally considered this approach an effective...