Taiwan has just lately showcased its Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) long-range missile, signaling an enhanced deterrence functionality towards potential Chinese language aggression.

This newest revelation gives new insights into Taiwan’s evolving protection technique and its quest to strike deeper into mainland China.

Images launched by Taiwan’s United Information Each day (UDN) and corroborated by the semi-official Central Information Company (CNA) present what’s believed to be a nighttime launch of the HF-2E missile from the Jiupeng navy base situated in Pingtung County.

This secretive missile has been underneath improvement because the early 2000s, aimed to strengthen Taiwan’s protection by holding targets on the Chinese language mainland in danger.

The Jiupeng navy base, a hub for Taiwan’s Nationwide Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Know-how (NCSIST) – chargeable for the missile’s improvement, has been the location of a number of missile checks.

Oh my God, we have got the primary ever picture of the HF-2E land assault cruise missile, taken throughout a secret firing final night time.

The missile was briefly illuminated by the nonetheless burning strong booster, which was being discarded. pic.twitter.com/LZVMpEUHxU

— Taepodong (@stoa1984) August 16, 2023

Current incidents on the base, together with an explosion throughout missile propellant disposal and an surprising missile detonation in mid-air, emphasize its significance in Taiwan’s protection analysis and testing initiatives.

Whereas particulars relating to the HF-2E stay restricted, the missile is known to be a ground-launched land-attack cruise missile with a design that reveals similarities to the U.S. Tomahawk and the AGM-84H/Ok Stand-off Land Assault Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER).

A minimum of two variants of the HF-2E are believed to exist: a baseline model with a variety of 300 to 600 kilometers and an extended-range variant, additionally known as the Hsiung Sheng, able to hitting targets between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometers away.

Such capabilities allow the missile to focus on important installations in China, together with radar websites, airfields, and different strategic belongings.

The HF-2E’s design, which started in 2001, was aimed toward focusing on beforehand unreachable areas inside mainland China.

Earlier than its inception, Taiwan’s missile capabilities had been restricted to hanging solely coastal areas.

Missile Menace, a protection evaluation platform, attracts parallels between the HF-2E and the US-made BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile.

The missile has seen profitable checks prior to now, with an extended-range model showcasing an 800-kilometer vary.

Taiwan’s dedication to strengthening its protection infrastructure extends past simply the HF-2E. In 2022, it was reported that the NCSIST had plans to considerably increase its missile manufacturing capability.

Taiwan’s protection technique is obvious by its give attention to creating long-range missiles such because the Yung Feng supersonic cruise missile, the Ba Dan ballistic missile, and the HF-2E.

Whereas the Yung Feng grew to become operational in 2014, challenges resembling a number of failed checks haven’t deterred Taiwan from persevering with with the HF-2E’s improvement.

Given Taiwan’s geopolitical state of affairs, it has lengthy maintained a defensive “porcupine technique.”

Nevertheless, with developments just like the HF-2E, it is likely to be transitioning to a extra aggressive “pit viper technique,” which entails focused missile strikes on main Chinese language cities if provoked.

In response to Taiwan’s evolving protection strategy and elevated worldwide engagements, China has amplified its navy workout routines across the island.

For the reason that US Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s go to to Taiwan, Chinese language navy operations have shifted, reflecting the potential want for Taiwan to reevaluate its strategic positions.

In abstract, Taiwan’s missile developments underscore its intent to discourage potential threats and degree the taking part in discipline within the Taiwan Strait.

The disclosing of the HF-2E marks a major step on this path, though regional stability stays in a fragile stability.