TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – New surface-to-air missile systems that Taiwan ordered from the US will be deployed in the Greater Taipei area to defend against aerial attacks.
The Ministry of National Defense on Friday said that Taiwan and the US had signed a NT$10.31 billion (US$312.9 million) contract for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems. The ministry said the NASAMS will be deployed in Taipei and New Taipei for air defense, per Liberty Times.
The system is capable of deploying advanced air defense missiles, including the US AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, the extended-range AMRAAM-ER, and the AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range missile. It can also accommodate European-made IRIS-T SLS short-range missiles.
The AMRAAM-ER, with a range exceeding 50 km, can intercept and destroy enemy aircraft or cruise missiles at supersonic speeds before they approach.
Taiwan’s air defense systems include the Sky Sword II missile, with a range of 15 km for battlefield air defense, primarily used by ground forces for field air defense missions. The Sky Bow series is capable of intercepting high-altitude enemy aircraft and missiles at altitudes of up to 45 km, while the Patriot PAC-3 missile has an interception altitude of 24 km.
Once NASAMS is operational, it will fill the gap in Taiwan’s medium-range air defense capabilities.
The ministry’s announcement confirmed deployment sites for NASAMS in Taipei's Songshan District and New Taipei City's Tamsui District. These two deployments are expected to be responsible for defending the capital.
The new arms package also includes an NT$6.42 billion L-band radar system for New Taipei's Shimen District, Miaoli's Houlong Township, Kaohsiung's Tianliao District, and Hualien County. A separate NT$7.61 billion non-L-band radar system is planned for Taipei’s Beitou District, Houlong Township, Pingtung's Hengchun Township, and Hualien's Shoufeng Township.
Defense expert Mei Fu-hsing (梅復興) was cited by Liberty Times as saying the NASAMS system has performed exceptionally well in Ukraine. Mei said it was for this reason that it has been strongly recommended by the US in recent years as a priority item for Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare capabilities.
