A state-owned corporation that develops indigenous weapons in Taiwan will test-fire some of its missile systems from a military base in the south of the country later this month, according to a notice issued on the matter.
The National Chung Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST) said in the March 2 notice that the missile tests will be conducted March 28 and 29 at the Jiupeng military base in Pingtung County, but when asked by CNA for details, the institute declined to comment.
In the notice, the NCSIST did not specify what type of missiles will be tested, but it warned aircraft and ships of a danger zone radius of up to 17 nautical miles and an “unlimited” maximum projectile altitude.
According to Taiwan defense experts, the “unlimited” projectile altitude warning implies that the NCSIST may be testing its long-range domestic missiles.
Earlier this week, Taiwan’s defense ministry said in a written report to the Legislature that the NCSIST would soon complete a project to upgrade and expand its missile factory facilities, which would significantly increase its production capability.
Over the past three years, NT$7 billion (US$24.9 million) has been spent on the project, which is aimed at upgrading 80 facilities for missile development and production by the NCSIST, a corporation that was established by the Taiwan government as a military research and development institute, according to the report.
The upgrade work has been completed on 50 of the facilities, and the others will be finished by June, the defense ministry said in the report.
When the work is completed on all 80 facilities, the NCSIST’s annual production capability for the indigenous Tien Kung (Sky Bow), Tien Chien (Sky Sword), and Hsiung Feng (Brave Wind) missiles will increase, the report said.
Currently, the NCSIST produces 20 Brave Wind III supersonic anti-ship missiles per year, 40 Sky Sword II ship-launched/land-based missiles, and 48 Sky Bow III Surface-to-Air Missile systems, according to the defense ministry.
The upgraded facilities will allow for the annual production of 150 Sky Sword II missiles, 96 Sky Bow III, and 70 Brave Wind III, a model that reportedly has a maximum range of 400 kilometers and the capability to strike mainland China, the ministry said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel