Taiwan Coastguard Conducts Anti-Ship Missile Drills
Anping-class patrol vessels test supersonic Hsiung Feng III missiles in joint military exercise
Quick Look
- Taiwan's coastguard successfully test-fired supersonic Hsiung Feng III and subsonic Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles from an Anping-class patrol vessel.
- The exercise highlights the integration of civilian-operated ships into Taiwan's naval strike capabilities.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Anping-class coastguard vessels are being equipped with anti-ship missile systems to serve as supplemental naval strike platforms. This marks a shift in the operational role of Taiwan's civilian law enforcement agency.
Taiwan’s coastguard fired a supersonic anti-ship missile during a military exercise last week, an unusual move by a civilian law enforcement agency that analysts say could be aimed at complicating potential war plans.
On Friday, the Anping-class coastguard patrol vessel Qijin launched a home-grown Hsiung Feng III, or HF-3, which hit a decommissioned navy frigate more than 100km (62 miles) away, according to local media. The coastguard also fired an HF-2, an older subsonic anti-ship weapon, during the drills, which involved Taiwan’s army, navy and air force.
This means at least three named vessels of the coastguard’s 12-ship Anping class have now fired Hsiung Feng missiles, underscoring a broader effort to turn them into an additional pool of naval strike platforms.
Open Questions
- How many total coastguard vessels are slated for missile integration?
- What is the specific strategic objective regarding cross-strait deterrence?
