Taiwan tests missiles capable of intercepting ballistic warheads

Taiwan has successfully conducted tests of surface-to-air missiles designed to intercept ballistic missiles during their atmospheric re-entry phase, according to Taipei Times.

The trials were carried out by specialists from the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology at a test range on the Jiupeng military base in Pingtung County.

The tests are reportedly linked to Taiwan’s new “Chiang Kung” missile project, with the missiles reaching altitudes between 30 and 48 kilometres—sufficient to engage ballistic targets as they re-enter the atmosphere.

Sources cited by the newspaper indicated that multiple variants of the Qiangong missile are being developed based on the TK-III platform, featuring extended range and interception capabilities.

The Chiang Kung I variant is expected to achieve higher interception altitudes than the US Patriot III system, while Chiang Kung IIA could reach 100 kilometres, comparable to the US THAAD high-altitude missile defence system. Another variant, Qiangong IIB, is projected as a new ground-to-ground ballistic missile with an estimated range of around 1,000 kilometres.

By Khagan Isayev