| 09.20.2004 The Straits Times China tests new missile which could pose threat to Taiwan TAIPEI - China has test-fired a cruise missile which will pose a new threat to rival Taiwan, according to a leading defence journal. The land attack cruise missile (LACM) will have a range of 1,500km, London-based Jane's Missiles and Rockets magazine said in an article to be published on Oct 1. The new missile, designated Dong Hai-10, or East China Sea-10, is likely to be accurate to within 10m, it quoted an unidentified US defence source as saying. The source said China already has the Ying Ji-63 cruise missile in service, with a range of 400km to 500km, as well as Harpy unmanned aerial vehicles, which were obtained from Israel in 2001. These three sophisticated weapons pose new challenges to Taiwan, which has been engaged in extended debate over the missile threat from China. 'Taiwan has not met the growing LACM threat head-on,' the source was quoted as saying. 'Before long, there will also be ship and sub-launched cruise missiles.' The cruise missiles would pose an additional threat to Taiwan, which would already have problems defending itself against China's ballistic missiles, said Professor Wung Ming-hsien of Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies. 'They are cheaper and yet precise,' said Prof Wung, adding that the cruise missiles could be used in any surprise attack on government installations, military commands and airbases. But he said it might take a while for China to put the Dong Hai-10 into service as it still does not have sufficient satellites to guide the missile. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said the number of Chinese ballistic missiles targeting the island has risen to 600 and would increase to 800 by the end of 2006. To counter the threat, it has deployed three Patriot PAC-2 anti-missile systems and plans to buy six more improved PAC-3 systems. The Taiwnese Cabinet has approved plans to spend NT$610 billion (S$31 billion) on weaponry - including buying eight US-built submarines, Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile systems and submarine-hunting P-3C aircraft - over a 15-year period starting from next year.p> The deal will go to parliament for approval towards the end of the year. Since pro-independence President Chen Shui-bian was re-elected in March, Beijing has stressed its long-standing vow to take Taiwan by force should the island try to declare formal independence. The two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war. -- AFP |
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