TAIPEI – Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense is advancing a major new arms procurement plan centered on the mass production of upgraded, domestically-produced Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles. The initiative, which includes the construction of 232 additional missiles, is a cornerstone of the nation's strategy to bolster its asymmetric defense capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
The plan is part of a special defense budget that will be submitted to the Executive Yuan later this month before it moves to the Legislative Yuan for review and approval. While the budget package also includes significant missile purchases from the United States, the focus on indigenous production highlights Taiwan's commitment to self-reliance in its defense posture.
Upgrading the "Brave Wind" Arsenal
The Hsiung Feng ("Brave Wind") series of missiles represents the backbone of Taiwan's naval deterrent. The new production run will focus on significantly enhanced versions of its two key platforms: the subsonic HF-II and the supersonic HF-III.
Hsiung Feng II (HF-II) Enhancements:
The reliable HF-II, a subsonic cruise missile, will see a major capability boost. The upgraded version is expected to extend its strike range from the current 80 nautical miles (148 km) to between 160 and 200 km. According to defense sources, the missile's resistance to electronic countermeasures has also been substantially improved, bringing it on par with advanced Western systems. "The upgraded Hsiung Feng II will integrate the most advanced chip designs, making its performance even more sophisticated," a defense official noted.
Hsiung Feng III (HF-III) Modernization:
The HF-III, Taiwan's premier supersonic anti-ship missile often dubbed the "carrier killer," will also be modernized. The current version has a range of 150 to 200 km. The new production run will include extended-range variants, further increasing Taiwan's ability to engage hostile surface vessels from a greater distance. Like the HF-II, the improved HF-III will incorporate advanced chips to enhance both its precision and its armor-penetrating capabilities.
A Pillar of Taiwan's Asymmetric Strategy
This investment is a clear reflection of Taiwan's "porcupine strategy," which focuses on developing a credible, cost-effective, and lethal deterrent to make a potential invasion prohibitively difficult for any adversary. A large, mobile, and potent arsenal of anti-ship missiles is central to this doctrine, designed to deny an opposing navy control of the surrounding waters.
The plan is part of a broader naval and air power development program that includes ten major projects, six of which are related to the Hsiung Feng missile series. This continued investment builds upon previous budget allocations, including a first phase for shore-based systems allocated NT$5.4 billion (approx. USD $180 million) and a second phase at NT$10.7 billion (approx. USD $360 million) in the 2015 fiscal year. An additional NT$500 million (approx. USD $20 million) was also previously allocated to equip Coast Guard vessels with these weapon systems for wartime scenarios.
Looking Ahead: The Backbone of Deterrence
By advancing the capabilities of its indigenous missile program, Taiwan aims to create a formidable anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) force. The combined fleet of upgraded, extended-range HF-II and HF-III missiles is intended to serve as the backbone of the nation's anti-ship defenses for the next decade.
While the plan must still pass through the legislative process, its inclusion in a special budget signals a high level of priority from the government. The initiative underscores Taiwan's unwavering commitment to strengthening its self-defense capabilities in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
