Taiwan deploys 60-year-old missiles to protect coast
The MIM-23 Hawk missile, introduced in 1959, will become Taiwan's first line of defense against low-flying aircraft from mainland China.
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Taiwan's MIM-23 missile launcher. Photo: AFP |
Taiwan's armed forces are expected to deploy more MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems to counter mainland China's low-flying fighters and bombers. Although developed in the late 1950s, the MIM-23 Hawk is still considered the front line of Taiwan's air defense shield, according toAsia Times.
The move comes amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait. A recent report from Taiwan’s defense ministry said the Chinese air force conducted 16 exercises near Taiwan in 2017. During these exercises, Chinese fighter jets often circled Taiwan via the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines and then circled north, near Japan’s Miyako Island.
MIM-23 Hawk missile launchersThe new missiles will be based on Orchid Island and Green Island, strategically located in southeastern Taiwan, close to flight routes that allow the Chinese air force to approach the island. Analysts say the MIM-23 missiles could fill the gap in defense and give Taiwan an advantage in a confrontation with China.
However, the MIM-23 Hawk is a nearly 60-year-old weapon and was decommissioned by the US 15 years ago. Despite many upgrades, the MIM-23 Hawk is still not as powerful as modern air defense systems such as the MIM-104 Patriot or SAMP/T.
The MIM-23 complex has a maximum range of 50 km. Each projectile has a maximum speed of 2,965 km/h, carrying a 54 kg fragmentation warhead. Chinese media calls these "ancient" complexes, easily penetrated by the J-20 stealth fighter.
Taiwan had planned to retire the Hawk systems in 2013 and replace them with Tien Kung III air defense missiles. However, the process has been stalled for five years and shows no signs of being implemented.
