Taiwan boosts air defence by forming fourth Patriot battalion

Taiwan will form its fourth Patriot air defence battalion as it anticipates the arrival of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors from its Western ally, the US.

The defence ministry procured hundreds of PAC-3 MSEs scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026, according to The Defence Post, which outlines that there are plans to potentially deploy them in Hualien and Taitung in the country’s east.

In addition to the PAC-3 MSEs, Taipei expects to receive its first of three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) at the end of this year, following an estimated $1.16-billion order in October 2024.

The island’s Air Force Air Defence and Missile Command will also create a battalion-level unit to deploy the NASAMS to engage enemy drones, missiles, helicopters, and aircraft from up to 50 kilometers away.

Altogether, the command operates battalions for the Patriot missile and NASAMS, along with domestically made air defence systems, including the Tien Kung III missiles, Strong Bow extended-range interceptors, Hsiung Sheng surface-to-surface cruise missiles, and Chien Hsiang anti-radiation loitering munitions.

In December 2022, the US proposed upgrading Taiwan’s standard Patriot surface-to-air missiles, which have a range of 24 kilometers, into the PAC-3 MSE version with a range of 45 to 60 kilometers.

These enhanced interceptors feature a larger, dual pulse solid rocket motor, larger fins, and upgraded actuators and thermal batteries, according to their developer, Lockheed Martin.

The increased size means each launcher can carry 12 PAC-3 MSEs instead of 16 standard PAC-3s.

However, the upgraded performance allows the system to intercept tactical ballistic missiles during their terminal phase, as well as enemy cruise missiles and fighter jets flying at higher altitudes.

By Nazrin Sadigova