Taiwan’s military is evaluating the future of its aging Chaparral surface-to-air missile systems as the Army prepares to retire its final units this year.
The decision comes amid plans to transition to newer platforms such as the Avenger air defense system and domestically produced Sky Sword II missiles, but defense experts believe the Chaparrals may still hold value.
Military scholar Su Tzu-yun, director of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, suggested potential paths forward, including life extension, storage, or repurposing under U.S. foreign military sales agreements. Speaking on the increasing threat posed by Chinese drones, Su emphasized that these options could fill critical gaps in Taiwan’s air defense capabilities during the transition to advanced counter-drone technologies like lasers and microwaves.
The Chaparral missile systems, initially introduced to Taiwan’s Army and Marine Corps in 1986 and 1987, have served for over 35 years. While the Marine Corps phased out the system in 2021, the Army’s 43rd Artillery Command will retire its remaining units this year. The mobile Avenger air defense system will assume responsibility for field air defense, alongside the ongoing integration of Sky Sword II missiles.
Su noted that while Chaparral missiles face limitations against modern threats like drones with small radar cross-sections and low heat signatures, they still provide value in a point defense role. He pointed out that advanced counter-drone technologies under development, such as lasers and microwave systems, may take 5 to 10 years to reach operational readiness.
In light of this capability gap, Su recommended that the military assess the feasibility of extending the service life of Chaparral systems. “Although they may be outdated for broad-spectrum operations, they can still contribute effectively to localized, point defense scenarios,” Su said.
He also highlighted that several critical systems procured from the U.S., such as Stinger man-portable missiles and NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), have yet to arrive. In this interim period, Chaparrals could bridge the gap in Taiwan’s air defense architecture.
If a life-extension program proves unnecessary, Su proposed alternative strategies, including the storage of the missile systems or transferring them to U.S. allies under foreign military sales agreements. “These steps would ensure that the assets retain value, whether for future emergencies or strategic partnerships,” he explained.