The military has decided to test-fire early next year the Patriot air defense missile for the first time since the missile entered service nearly three years ago, defense sources said yesterday.
The test-firing will take place at a top-security missile test site in Chiupeng, Pingtung County, where all of the armed services' currently operational missiles have been put to test either before or after entering service.
It will also be the first time that the US-made Patriot missile will be test-fired outside US territory. The test was initially scheduled for sometime between April and May next year, right after the Hangkuang No. 17 exercise in April and before the Wangan No. 24 air raid drill in May. The launch is now very likely to be moved up to January, due to requests from top authorities.
There is a possibility it could happen even earlier because two Patriot missile companies, which have been chosen to jointly launch the test, have just recently completed an assortment of tests for combat readiness.
The army has deployed, in sequence since 1997, Patriot missiles of the PAC-II Plus class in three batteries in regions surrounding the capital city of Taipei. The fixed deployment sites for the missiles are located in Nankang, Wanli and Linkou. With the Patriot missile test leading the way, next year will see several more tests of high-profile missiles bought from abroad for the first time in public.
In the Hangkuang No. 17 exercise, which is to take place between March and April in Pingtung County, the military plans to test-fire an air-launched Harpoon anti-ship missile and possibly an Avenger Stinger air defense missile, though the military presently has some uncertainties over its operation.
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