Air Force command receives upgraded Hsiung Feng-2E missile system

Taipei, Jan. 11 (CNA) A small batch of upgraded Hsiung Feng-2E surface-to-surface cruise missiles, which Taiwan hopes will give it a stronger deterrent against China's military threat, has been delivered for use by an active Air Force unit, a military source said Monday.

The source, who asked not to be named, said the new missile system has an operational range of 1,200 kilometers, an upgrade from the existing 600 km, and can effectively target Chinese military installations beyond its coastline.

Developed by the military's top research unit, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the Hsiung Feng-2E has now been delivered to the Air Force's Air Defense and Artillery Command to boost its combat readiness, the official said.

The exact number of missiles delivered was not disclosed, however, due to confidentiality.

According to the Air Force's website, the artillery command is responsible for combat, missile defense, and joint air defense systems, and houses several medium-to high-altitude missile batteries such as the HAWK and Patriot air-defense systems.