The new items provided herein are based strictly on summary of the primary news sources referenced. TDR makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information reported by such primary news sources. While every effort is made to ensure the faithfulness of the synopses, TDR is not responsible for any errors or inaccuracies contained in the original reports. The opinions expressed also do not necessarily represent those of TDR. Readers are advised to use the information with discretion.
For TDR's insights on select news stories, please refer to the corresponding articles in our Members section, available exclusively to TDR subscribers.
 CIWS Upgrade Hits Bump
Air-to-Ground for Mirage?
Air Force Studying IFR and EA Requirements
Bolstering MCM Capabilities
WTUV Enters Service
Taiwan Plans Countermeasures
Javelin Ready for Service
Radio Program Faces Restructure
Supersonic ASCM Equips Frigate
Rush to Save the Anchorage
Phased Approach Could Buoy TSP
Medium Range Air Defense Radar
Beefing Up Air Base Defense
Marines Program SDVs
PGs Receive Upgrades
TC-2A Update
Decoys to Shield Surveillance Radars
Air Force Commissions GCA Radar
Taiwan Developing HPM Weapon
Amphibious Modernization Initiative
Taiwan Builds Spratly Field
CGA Plans New Cutter
TK-3 Development Nears Completion
Sea Dart Status
Networking HF
TDR Testifies on Capitol Hill
ROCAF to Request More Fighters
Taiwan to Deploy LACM
Match Bearings with LHT
Non NOCERE
Harping on Harpy
ROCN Decommissionings
Po Sheng Progress
Restructuring the Missile Command
WTUV Awarded
Thinking Stop-Gap Eagles
Integration Is Key
Army Eyes Advanced Munitions
Counter-Terrorism Requirements
CTO to Visit Taiwan
DoD Seeks Taiwan Ammo
Blast-Frag Hellfires
HF-3 Test Successful
MND to Institute Security Clearance
Active Officers to AIT
Additional SAR Helos
ROCN Shunts Ticos, Yet...
Institute Studies Minis
Kanwa Publishes Monthly
Navy Plans New Auxiliary
Satellite Prospects
New Training Center
CIWS Upgrade Hits Bump
- June 1, 2007
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Air-to-Ground for Mirage?
TDR Original - April 13, 2007
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Air Force Studying IFR and EA Requirements
TDR Original - March 11, 2007
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Bolstering MCM Capabilities
TDR Original - January 30, 2007
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WTUV Enters Service
TDR Original - January 10, 2007
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Taiwan Plans Countermeasures
- November 22, 2006
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Javelin Ready for Service
TDR Original - November 20, 2006
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Radio Program Faces Restructure
TDR Original - August 29, 2006
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Supersonic ASCM Equips Frigate
TDR Original - August 10, 2006
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Rush to Save the Anchorage
- August 1, 2006
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Phased Approach Could Buoy TSP
TDR Original - July 27, 2006
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Medium Range Air Defense Radar
TDR Original - June 17, 2006
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Beefing Up Air Base Defense
TDR Original - May 23, 2006
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Marines Program SDVs
TDR Original - May 17, 2006
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PGs Receive Upgrades
TDR Original - May 7, 2006
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TC-2A Update
- February 18, 2006
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Decoys to Shield Surveillance Radars
TDR Original - January 31, 2006
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Air Force Commissions GCA Radar
TDR Original - January 20, 2006
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Taiwan Developing HPM Weapon
- January 12, 2006
Taiwan is actively working on non-nuclear, electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) weapon or "E-Bomb". Conceptual design has already been completed, and the program is now in the demonstration and validation phase. The E-Bomb can be used to permanently destroy or paralyze the electronic system components and circuitry of enemy C3I systems, without causing human casualties. In response to the significant progress in non-nuclear EMP weapons made by the Chinese military, Taiwan began implementing an EMP defense program several years ago, known as Hu Mai ("Pulse Protection"), to provide shielding for important military electronic systems. However, passive protection is only a small part of the Hu Mai effort. Taiwan is also developing its own electronic attack capabilities under the program. Since Taiwan has a no-nuclear policy, the military has completely rejected nuclear-generated EMP options. Instead, the military is developing a tactical EMP weapon by borrowing the U.S. Mk84 non-nuclear EMP bomb concept. A prototype will be ready within a few years, with effective radius from several meters up to several hundred meters. The EMP weapon may be fitted to indigenous cruise missiles to conduct surprise attacks, and ROC Air Force F-16s could be the principal delivery platform for such munitions. (Liberty Times, 12/19/2005)
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Amphibious Modernization Initiative
- January 5, 2006
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Taiwan Builds Spratly Field
TDR Original - December 27, 2005
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CGA Plans New Cutter
TDR Original - December 3, 2005
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TK-3 Development Nears Completion
- November 21, 2005
Taiwan's indigenous Tien Kung 3/TK-3 ("Sky Bow") Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM) system will complete development at the end of 2005, with operational testing & evaluation (OT&E) to start in 2006. The ATBM system has been in development at the Chung Shan Institute of Science & Technology (CSIST) for a number of years, under a project code-named Tseng Tsi ("Tier System"). The program was originally scheduled to run from 2001 through 2006, with an R&D budget of close to US$600 million (NT$20 billion). The system has completed numerous flight tests, using technology similar to Patriot Advanced Capabilities 2 (PAC-2). However, problems with critical technologies have set back the program by a year, to 2007. The Missile Command formally referred to the new ATBM system as TK-3 for the first time during an 11/7/2005 press briefing at the Tsoying Naval Base. According to Liberty Times, even though TK-3 is capable of engaging tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) as well as aircraft and cruise missiles, but its ability to intercept tactical ballistic missiles does not measure up to the U.S. PAC-3 system. Still, because TK-3's Chang Bai ("Long White") radar system is quite effective in detecting low-flying targets, Taiwan's military is designating as TK-3's primary mission role Cruise Missile Defense, with a secondary role against TBMs. The TK-3 system is said to be capable of simultaneously engaging 9 targets. (Liberty Times, 11/14/2005)
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Sea Dart Status
TDR Original - October 26, 2005
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Networking HF
- October 11, 2005
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TDR Testifies on Capitol Hill
- October 5, 2005
The Editor-in-Chief of Taiwan Defense Review (TDR), Fu S. Mei, was recently invited to offer expert testimony at a hearing held by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC). Held on 9/15/2005 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. and entitled "China's Military Modernization and Cross-Strait Balance", the hearing was intended to examine growing Chinese military capabilities, U.S. posture in the Western Pacific, and Taiwan's defense requirements. A total of 16 panel participants, including a current U.S. Government official and a Congressional representative, scholars, and former Defense Department and State Department officials, provided testimony at the hearing. These included: James Keith (Senior Advisor for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Department of State); James Mulvenon (Director for Advanced Studies, Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis); RADM. Eric A. McVadon, USN (Retired), (Director, Asia-Pacific Studies, Institute of Foreign Policy Analysis); Dan Blumenthal (Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute); Kurt Campbell (Director International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies); Dr. Thomas Christensen (Professor, Princeton University); Dr. Richard Bush (Senior Researcher, The Brookings Institution)
Fu S. Mei testified as part of Panel V, "Taiwan's Self-Defense Needs and Risks to the United States". His statement, along with those of other panel experts, may be found at:
http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2005hearings/hr05_09_15.htm
In addition, the TDR Editor-in-Chief was also asked to deliver a presentation on "Taiwan Force Modernization & the Rapidly Changing Strategic Environment" at the U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference in San Diego (9/18/2005 - 9/20/2005). Organized by the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, the conference is a forum that brings together U.S. and Taiwan government and private sector communities to examine the challenge inherent in maintaining a strong and cohesive defense and security relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan. This is the second time TDR was represented at the annual defense conference. Last year, Mr. Mei spoke at the conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Taiwan's defense modernization and transformation.
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ROCAF to Request More Fighters
- September 16, 2005
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Taiwan to Deploy LACM
- September 6, 2005
Despite earlier news reports that the HF-2E land attack cruise missile (LACM) has secretly entered operational service, military officials concede that there are only 3 HF-2E missiles on hand. Sources say that the military plans to begin producing 24 mobile LACM launcher systems in 9/2005. These will include 48 HF-2E missiles in box launchers mounted on transporter/erector/launcher vehicles similar to the TK series SAM systems, together with control and power supply equipment. MND hopes to complete production of these 24 systems within two years and to deploy the systems in three missile batteries under the control of the Missile Command. MND plans to spend US$509 million (NT$16.3 billion) to produce the LACM systems needed to equip the three batteries. CSIST has already internally re-allocated budgets from other programs to fund the production of 24 launch systems. Another US$93.7 million (NT$3 billion) will be budgeted to produce the HF-2E missiles. HF-2E passed four tactical trials at JPMR this year. CSIST and Missile Command personnel jointly conducted the operational testing and are preparing doctrinal and technical documentation, so as to speed service entry. When deployed on Taiwan, the 600km-ranged HF-2E could cover over 20 targets along China's southeast coast that represent the greatest threat, including air, naval, and missile bases. If forward deployed on Tungying Island or the Pescadores, Shanghai and Hong Kong would be within range. Deployment on Taiwan will primarily be in mountainous areas east of National Highway No. 3. To upgrade HF-2E performance, CSIST R&D team is working on compressing the size of internal missile components, to free up more volume for increased fuel and extend missile range to over 700km. Moreover, if the U.S. should agree to export turbofan engine technology for cruise missiles, CSIST would right away be able to produce an LACM with range of 1,000km. According to China Times, the HF-2E has been formally given the program name Hsun Juen ("Quick Falcon"), with nearly US$156 million (NT$5 billion) investment under the FY2006 classified defense budget to continue performance upgrade. Future land-attack cruise missile(s) will also be called Quick Falcon, to avoid confusion with the HF series anti-ship missiles. (Apple Daily, 8/29/2005; China Times, 9/1/2005)
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Match Bearings with LHT
- August 31, 2005
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Non NOCERE
- August 14, 2005
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Harping on Harpy
TDR Original - July 15, 2005
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ROCN Decommissionings
TDR Original - July 4, 2005
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Po Sheng Progress
- June 16, 2005
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Restructuring the Missile Command
TDR Original - May 24, 2005
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WTUV Awarded
TDR Original - May 15, 2005
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Thinking Stop-Gap Eagles
TDR Original - April 28, 2005
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Integration Is Key
- March 23, 2005
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Army Eyes Advanced Munitions
TDR Original - March 14, 2005
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Counter-Terrorism Requirements
- February 24, 2005
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CTO to Visit Taiwan
- February 14, 2005
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DoD Seeks Taiwan Ammo
TDR Original - January 19, 2005
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Blast-Frag Hellfires
TDR Original - January 14, 2005
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HF-3 Test Successful
- January 13, 2005
The Hsiung Feng-3 ("Brave Wind"/HF-3) supersonic anti-ship missile has been successfully flight tested. The missile was successfully flown "several times", including test flights in 9/2004 and 11/2004. The 9/2004 test validated the flight control system, while the 11/2004 test involved an all-up test round with a telemetry payload instead of warhead. The 9/2004 test reportedly had to be delayed by a day to avoid weather conditions amenable to foreign monitoring. Defense minister Lee Jye was on site at Jiou Peng Missile Range (JMPR) to witness the 11/2004 launch. During the most recent trial, which was part of the Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) program, the missile flew towards the Pacific Ocean, with several pre-programmed waypoints. The HF-3, with conservatively estimated range of 300km, has been under development for nearly 10 years. Its size may limit the missile to mainly land-based applications, on the offshore islands and in eastern Taiwan. HF-3 can also be carried by the Kidd-class destroyers, although fire control issues remain to be addressed. HF-3 flight testing over the past two years have included free supersonic flight, simulated diving attack profile, and sea-skimming flight. However, the tests had also suffered a number of failures, before CSIST changed the project manager during the second half of 2004 and appointed a retired scientist as the program's chief consultant. The team spent two months reviewing the flight test program and the missile, before achieving the successful tests later in the year. (China Times, 1/7/2005)
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MND to Institute Security Clearance
TDR Original - January 9, 2005
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Active Officers to AIT
TDR Original - January 3, 2005
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Additional SAR Helos
TDR Original - December 30, 2004
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ROCN Shunts Ticos, Yet...
TDR Original - December 19, 2004
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Institute Studies Minis
- November 8, 2004
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Kanwa Publishes Monthly
- November 3, 2004
A new monthly defense journal with principal focus on China (PRC) but also providing consistent coverage on Taiwan, was recently launched in Hong Kong. The first issue of Kanwa Defense Review was published on 10/20/2004. Edited by Andrei Chang (aka "Pinkov"), the magazine offers both Chinese and selected English content (roughly 3:1, based on the first issue). The 60-page (cover-to-cover) publication is printed in full color throughout and contains approximately 40,000 words of richly-illustrated content, covering a wide range of topics including new PRC weapons programs, PLA operational developments, Chinese defense and foreign policy, China-Taiwan relations, and Taiwan-related defense issues. Andrei Chang (Pinkov) is a specialist on the PRC military and a regular contributor to the Jane's Information Group publications, as well as various other news media. His online service, Kanwa Intelligence Review (http://www.Kanwa.com), has, since 1996, been a valuable source of information on Chinese defense and security affairs that is widely read by defense and intelligence agencies, think tanks, and media in several dozen countries. Additional information about Kanwa Defense Review can be found at: http://www.kanwa.com/defr/showpl.php This is copyrighted material of TDR. Unauthorized distribution prohibited.
TDR has learned that the next (11/20/2004) issue of Kanwa Defense Review will include the first of a series of stories on possible Taiwan Strait conflict scenarios; a feature on the integration of Russian and Chinese datalinks into PLA-Navy surface ship combat systems; a history of Russo/Soviet-PRC military cooperation; a comparison of new Chinese and Taiwanese fast attack missile craft; a report on recent Chinese flight testing the indigenous AWACS aircraft; an analysis of the susceptibility of Hong Kong's economy to a war between Taiwan and China; plus an exclusive interview with Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force Osvaldo Saravia. This is copyrighted material of TDR. Unauthorized distribution prohibited.
Kanwa Defense Review is currently on sale at retail locations only in Hong Kong, but is available elsewhere in the world (with the somewhat ironic exception of China) through subscription. Regular annual subscription rates (airmail postage included) are: US$72 for Asia and US$82 for the Americas, Australia, and Europe. This is copyrighted material of TDR. Unauthorized distribution prohibited.
By special arrangement, TDR readers can order a one-year subscription to Kanwa Defense Review through TDR. To ensure immediate processing, please send your subscription order and payment directly to:
Terraced Bay Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 1241
Manhasset, NY 11030
Attention: Kanwa Defense Review
Your subscription order should include the following information:
Name:
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Your check should be made payable to Terraced Bay Associates, Inc. Please remember to note on your check "For Kanwa Defense Review".
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Navy Plans New Auxiliary
- October 27, 2004
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Satellite Prospects
TDR Original - October 20, 2004
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New Training Center
TDR Original - October 10, 2004
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