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Military eyes ballistic missile force

"The idea of a long-distance strike force can certainly include ballistic missile units. The term might also mean a strengthening of the projection power of the air force. It is quite a flexible term to interpret."

Chang Li-teh, a senior editor with `Defense Technology Monthly'

The military plans to establish an independent tactical ballistic missile force, similar to the Second Artillery in China's military, according to a defense source.

The ballistic missile force is to be armed with short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, which are being developed by the military-run Chun Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

The range of the missile under development will not exceed 300km, which puts it within the limits of the international anti-ballistic missile treaty, the defense source said.

Because of the missile's range limit, the military plans to deploy them on the Penghu archipelago to increase their deterrent effect against China, the source said.

A 300km range would allow the missiles to reach Shantou on China's southern coastline and Fuzhou to the north. No important inland cities would be in range, although some military installations would be.

There is no word yet on exactly how many of these missiles will be built.

The military conducted tests related to the project at its primary missile test-firing range in Pingtung's Chiupeng Township last week. A deputy commander of the army was in charge of the tests.

It is not known how successful the tests were, but according to current planning, the missile is scheduled for deployment in 2007, the source said.

By that time, a cross-service force will have been established that is trained in the operation and maintenance of the missiles.

The army is to play a leading role in the establishment of the ballistic missile force since it already has missile units and is has broad experience in the field.

Chang Li-teh (張立德), a senior editor with Defense Technology Monthly magazine, said it was not surprising that the military plans to establish an independent ballistic missile force.

"The military has already published information about this plan in its internal publications, which have run articles written by senior military officials promoting the establishment of a long-distance strike force under the office of the chief-of-the-general-staff," Chang said.

"The idea of a long-distance strike force can certainly include ballistic missile units. The term might also mean a strengthening of the projection power of the air force. It is quite a flexible term to interpret," he said.

Chang questioned, however, the effectiveness of a ballistic missile with a range of less than 300km.

"If the ballistic missile is to be deployed as planned in the Penghu islands, it can reach only half of Fujian Province. Fujian is a mountainous area. Where do you want the missile to hit?" Chang asked.

"To make the ballistic missile into a true deterrent against China, the military should consider placing it on front-line islands such as Kinmen and Matsu.

Matsu has already been armed with the domestically-built Tien Kung-I air defense missile," he said.

The ballistic missile under development may be a variant of the Tien Kung missile family, which includes the Tien Kung-I and Tien Kung-II, Chang said.

A new type of missile now being developed by the Chun Shan Institute is known as the Tien Kung-III, which may in fact be the code name used by the development team for the new ballistic missile, he said.
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