TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's extended-range Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles were seen in public for the first time on Tuesday as President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) inspected the deployment near Taipei Port.

As part of the Han Kuang 41 exercises, the Army's 269th Brigade carried out a drill in New Taipei's Bali District, per Liberty Times. Lai's motorcade entered the Haifeng Brigade's position on private land near Taipei Port. The inspection lasted about 10 minutes.

At least four Hsiung Feng launch vehicles and one Navy communications relay vehicle were deployed. Several canisters appeared larger than standard models, suggesting they were the Hsiung Feng III extended-range variant.

Military sources confirmed to CNA that the missiles included the Hsiung Feng III, which is reportedly capable of striking targets up to 400 km away. They were developed by Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

Light tactical wheeled vehicles from the Army’s Joint Operations Command provided perimeter security. This marked the first public appearance of the extended-range variant, according to Liberty Times. 

From 2022 to 2026, Taiwan plans to invest over NT$44.1 billion (US$1.5 billion) to mass-produce both the standard and extended-range Hsiung Feng III. With production on schedule, the extended-range version has already been delivered to the Haifeng Brigade.

The missile system is expected to become a core asset of the Navy’s new Coastal Combat Command. In addition to being mounted on light frigates, they will be deployed at key bases across Taiwan to leverage their long-range strike capability.