Taiwan will reportedly deploy the new Hsiung Feng-IIE long-range land attack cruise missiles to deter China.
Taiwan News reports that the missile has a different design despite the name similarity with the Hsiung Feng-II anti-ship missile, which is a counterpart to the RGM-84 Harpoon and MM-40 Exocet. Hsiung Feng-IIE is estimated to have a 1000 to 1200 kilometres range, allowing Taiwan to strike the Chinese mainland.
In the first stage, 100 missiles will be delivered by 2025, with the start of serial production this year.
The missile likely has a similar design to the U.S.-made BGM-109 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles if long-range is the subject.
Another cruise missile that plays a critical role in deterrence for Taiwan is the Hsiung Feng-III supersonic anti-ship missile. The missile arms of the Cheng Kung-class (Ex-Oliver Hazard Perry) frigates and Tuo Chiang fast attack craft in the Taiwanese Navy are only slightly larger than those of Hsiung Feng II when in the canister.
Adding a land attack missile capable of striking mainland targets to the arsenal will add another leg to Taiwan’s stand-off deterrence tactics against PLA, which is known for its strength in numbers.
Taiwan Deploys Hsiung Feng-IIE Long-Range Cruise Missiles
