Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 17, 2004
US may supply Taiwan with Aegis missile system
According to Washington Times the US may supply Taiwan with ship-borne missile defense system. Officials at the Pentagon and US State Department said the United States was considering selling ship-borne missile defense system to Taiwan.
According to Washington Times the US may supply Taiwan with ship-borne missile defense system. Officials at the Pentagon and US State Department said the United States was considering selling ship-borne missile defense system to Taiwan.
The assistant Defense secretary responsible for Asian affairs said the hearing held on Feb. 6 indicated that Taiwan is faced with the threat of military concentration from the mainland and its defense capability is inadequate.
The United States is developing SM-3 missile interceptor based on SM-2 and SM-3 is to be installed on battleships in the US Navy which are equipped with Aegis combat system. To buy SM-3 Taiwan may also purchase Aegis system.
Taiwan has long planned to acquire battleships equipped with Aegis combat system only to find that until now the US wouldn't approve the sale. Before the receipt of SM-3 Taiwan is expected to purchase ground-based PA C-3. PA C-3 missile interceptor was designed by Lockheed Martin Corporation for use in Patriot Air Defense System made by Raytheon Company.