Taiwan to expand missile deployment to counter China's navy

Faced with the growing power of China's navy, the deployment of Taiwan's self-developed Hsiung Feng III missiles will be expanded to its Lafayette-class and Knox-class frigates.

The supersonic anti-ship missile, designed by the military-run Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology after nearly two decades of research and development, is already in service on the Navy's Perry-class frigate, the Chinchiang-class corvette and the Kuang Hua VI fast-attack missile craft.

A military source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the military is planning to deploy the missiles on the Lafayettes and Knoxes between this and next year.

In addition, two Perry-class frigates to be bought from the U.S. could also be equipped with the missiles.

The speed and range of Hsiung Feng III missile tops all of the Hsiung Feng series of missiles.

With the introduction of the Hsiung Feng III missile, Taiwan became the third country in the world to produce supersonic anti-ship missiles, after Russia and India.

According to media reports, the possible speed of the Hsiung Feng III missile is mach 2.5-3.0, with a maximum range estimated at 150 km-200 km, although official specifications have not been released.

Compared with the Hsiung Feng I missiles of the 1970s and the Hsiung Feng II missiles of the 1980s, the Hsiung Feng III missiles are more accurate and have better defensive capabilities.