In a series of tests that could be relevant to Taiwan’s defense, an advanced version of the Patriot missile system has successfully intercepted a ballistic missile of the type that might be used to attack Taipei.
Tests of the Patriot Post Development Build 8 (PDB-8) were carried out earlier this month at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and reported on this week by Jane’s Defense Weekly.
“The PDB-8 appears to be a potential upgrade option for Taiwan, which purchased the PAC-3 system back in 2008,” International Assessment and Strategy Center (IASC) senior fellow Rick Fisher said.
He said that while details remain classified, the PDB-8 appears to feature an improved radar that could better assure missile interception success.
“The interesting question would be whether PDB-8 would allow the PAC-3 to intercept China’s new 800km to 1,000km range DF-16 missile, which is part of China’s response to the PAC-3,” Fisher told the Taipei Times.
According to Jane’s, the Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) system tracked and engaged a ballistic missile target that was destroyed by a PAC-3 MSE interceptor.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) revealed a new version of the DF-16 with a maneuverable terminally guided warhead.
“If the PDB-8 PAC-3 upgrade does not prove to be a more economical solution to the DF-16 threat, then Washington should sell Taiwan the longer-range Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system,” Fisher said.
“Selling THAAD would also provide a symmetrical response to China’s purchase of Russia’s 400-km range S-400 anti-aircraft and anti-missile system,” Fisher said. “China has recently made a down payment on the S-400 which could be delivered in 2017.”
Fisher said continuing to sell Taiwan anti-missile systems is not the optimal way to deter China’s use of missiles against Taiwan.
He said Taipei also requires a robust offensive missile capability that allows for instantaneous retaliation against China.
“The US should offer to assist Taiwan’s longer-range indigenous missile programs,” Fisher said.
In addition, he said Washington should sell Taiwan new shorter-range “loitering” small attack missiles that can be launched from aircraft and ships by the hundreds.
“Such missiles would then operate in ‘swarms’ over key Fujian Province areas used by China to stage missile, aircraft or amphibious invasion attacks against Taiwan,” Fisher said.
He said that China has deployed YJ-62 land-based 400km to 500km-range anti-ship missiles to Woody Island (Yongxing Island, 永興島) in the Paracel Islands (Xisha Islands, 西沙群島), posing an increased threat to US and allied naval forces in the South China Sea.
Fisher said the move also provides an indication of the variety of weapons that China might eventually place on Fiery Cross Reef (Yongshu Reef, 永暑島), Subi Reef (Jhubi Reef, 渚碧礁) and Mischief Reef (Meiji Reef, 美濟礁) in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島).
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