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Taiwan has not completed cruise missile tests: legislator
Taipei (AFP) Oct 24, 2007 A Taiwan-developed cruise missile being touted as a symbol the island could defend itself against rival China has not completed tests so it can be mass produced, a lawmaker said Wednesday. Legislator Lin Yu-fang, of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT), said one-third of the Hsiungfeng 2E cruise missile development budget was cut since the required tests had not been concluded. "Hopefully, the cut budget would be restored after the due tests are completed to pave the way for mass production," Lin, a member of parliament's defence committee, told AFP. Lin declined to provide further details on the sensitive project, but the tests are known to include a study of the missile's accuracy. He also refuted an accusation made earlier in the day by President Chen Shui-bian, chairman of the ruling independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party. Chen accused the KMT, which has a majority in parliament, of completely cutting next year's proposed budget for the development of new weapon systems, including the Hsiungfeng 2E project. He questioned the motivation of the opposition, which favours improved ties with Beijing. "What he (Chen) said is nonsense. The 2008 budget for some weapon development projects has indeed partially been cut, but not all of them," Lin said. Analysts say Hsiungfeng 2E has a range of at least 600 kilometres (375 miles) and could be launched on land or at sea. That means the missile could reach airports and missile bases in southeast China, as well as cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong. The defence ministry had planned to unveil the missile during its military parade on the October 10 National Day, but dropped the plan following reported pressure from Washington, Taipei's main ally. Rocky relations between Taiwan and China looked set to continue after Chen rejected a recent offer of peace with China, saying it was akin to "a treaty of surrender." China has threatened to invade the island should it declare formal independence, prompting Taiwan to acquire advanced weaponry, largely from the United States. Related Links Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Taiwan denies US may sell cruise missiles
Taipei (AFP) Oct 22, 2007The defence minister on Monday denied a report that the United States may sell Tomahawk cruise missiles to Taiwan in a bid to control arms development in the island. |
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