Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is preparing a new round of weapons procurement that includes the mass production of upgraded Hsiung Feng II and III anti-ship missiles.
According to defense sources, 232 additional missiles will be built, featuring advanced chip technology that enhances range, survivability, and resistance to electronic warfare.
The plan is part of a special defense budget that will be submitted to the Executive Yuan by the end of this month before heading to the Legislative Yuan for review. While the package also includes major missile purchases from the United States, the production of indigenous missiles remains a central element of the initiative.
Under the naval and air power development program, ten major projects have been listed, six of which involve the Hsiung Feng series.
Budget documents show that for fiscal year 115, the first stage of the shore-based anti-ship missile system is allocated NT$5.4 billion ($180 million), with an additional NT$10.7 billion ($360 million) set aside for the second stage. Another NT$500 million ($20 million) has been earmarked to arm Coast Guard vessels with wartime weapons systems.
Defense officials said the new production run includes improved versions of the Hsiung Feng II. The current system already surpasses the first-generation missile, with a standard range of 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers).
The upgraded version is expected to extend its strike distance to between 160 and 200 kilometers. Sources added that the missile’s resilience against electronic countermeasures has been brought up to the level of advanced Western systems.
“The upgraded Hsiung Feng II will incorporate the most advanced chip designs, making its performance even more refined,” a defense official said.
The Hsiung Feng III will also be modernized under the new program. The current missile has an engagement range of 150 to 200 kilometers, with a maximum reach of up to 250 kilometers. The first batch of HF-III missiles entered full operational readiness in 2014, and officials now view an upgrade as necessary to maintain effectiveness. The improved version will also integrate advanced chips, enhancing both accuracy and penetration power.
The production run will also cover extended-range versions of the Hsiung Feng III, giving Taiwan an expanded ability to strike hostile surface vessels at greater distances. Together, the upgraded HF-II and HF-III fleets are expected to form the backbone of Taiwan’s indigenous anti-ship deterrent through the coming decade.