The Taiwan National Army has successfully integrated the supersonic anti-ship cruise missile into its indigenous defense fighters, the F-CK-1C/D, to counter the combat power of the communist army. Recently, the Air Force and the National Institute of Science and Technology Chung-Shan conducted a test of the Hsiung Feng III missile, launching it from the air and releasing photos of the Ching Kuo Combat Airplane with the projectile coupled to it.
The Hsiung Feng III missile boasts a maximum speed of Mach 3.5 and a range of 300 kilometers, earning it the nickname “carrier murderer” due to its ability to destroy targets at sea and effectively block any ship in the Taiwan Strait. This missile uses a stator motor design, which requires a booster rocket to launch it into the air when fired from a warship or the ground. However, when launched from a combat plane, the booster can be omitted since the plane is already flying at high speed.
One notable advantage of the Hsiung Feng III missile is its anti-ship capabilities, which offer several benefits over the American Harpoon AGM-84 used by Taiwan. For instance, the Harpoon is not compatible with the Taiwanese F-CK-1 plane, forcing the island’s army to use it with their F-16 fighters instead. In contrast, the HF-3 is guided by an inertial navigation system with active location radar in the terminal, and it’s armed with a 120-kilogram high-explosive and semi-armor-piercing warhead.
Miniaturizing the Hsiung Feng III Missile
The National Institute of Science and Technology Chung-Shan aims to “miniaturize” and “compact” the Hsiung Feng III missile, reducing its length to less than 5.5 meters, its diameter to less than 36 centimeters, and its weight to under 900 kilograms. This would make it a more viable option for launch from the air, with the original HF-3 air-launching plan expected to be completed by 2028.
A Decisive Weapon in the Event of War
As tensions between Taipei and Beijing continue to escalate, the development of anti-ship missiles like the Hsiung Feng III is considered a necessary deterrent element. If a war with China were to break out, these missiles would be crucial in giving Taiwan the option to stop an advance by the People’s Liberation Army Navy. The ability to launch such missiles from the air would provide a significant advantage, making the HF-3 a vital component of Taiwan’s defense strategy.
