TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Though tests for the air-launched version of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles have been scheduled for the end of the year, they will come too late for mass production covered by the 2026 budget, reports said Friday.

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology conducted mock tests off the coast of Taichung last week, the Liberty Times reported. If successful, more thorough operational trials and evaluations will be scheduled for the end of the year.

The original version of the anti-ship missile had a range of 150 kilometers and weighed 1,400 kilograms. An extended-range version could reach targets of up to 400 km away, while for the air-launched version, maximum reach is still 150 km but its weight has been reduced to less than 1,000 kg.

The missile is designed for use by the Indigenous Defense Fighter, with one missile under each wing. The military said the Taiwan-made missiles are more powerful than the Harpoons imported for use by F-16 jets.