TAIPEI: Taiwan plans to spend Tw$74.8bn in the next nine years to acquire anti-missile systems to boost its aerial defences against China, a lawmaker and media said.
The defence ministry aims to purchase the locally-made Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow 3) surface-to-air missile system between 2015 and 2024 to replace the ageing Hawk missile systems, said lawmaker Lin Yu-fang of the parliament’s defence committee.
This will be the biggest procurement of domestically-made weapon systems in recent years, Lin said, citing a defence budget plan submitted to the parliament for approval on Friday.
The Tien Kung 3 surface-to-air missile system, developed by Taiwan’s Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles for air defence missions and missile interception.
The institute reportedly has spent more than Tw$20bn to develop the anti-missile system since 1996.
Taiwan’s Apple Daily newspaper quoted former defence minister Kao Hua-chu as saying that the Tien Kung 3 system can help intercept China’s cruise missiles and counter the threats of its J-20 stealth fighter to strengthen Taiwan’s aerial defence capabilities.
AFP
