Article Posted on : - Sep 18, 2012

F-CK-1G IDF. Photo: Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.

TAIPEI (BNS): Taiwan has completed testing of the domestically developed long-range air-to-surface missile (ASM), military sources said.

Mass production and deployment of the new weapon called the Wan Chien ('Ten Thousand Swords') ASM will begin in 2014, the Taipei Times quoting military sources said.

The Wan Chien, developed by the military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, will be fitted on the upgraded Ching-kuo Indigenous Defence Fighters (IDFs).

The new missile is designed to strike airports and would help upgrade the Republic of China Air Force's long-range strike capabilities, the sources said.

According to the report, the Taiwanese Air Force has struck a deal with the state-run Aerospace Industrial Development Corp to further upgrade the 71 IDF/F-CK-1 jet fighters stationed at Tainan Air Base.

The Ministry of Defence has allocated NT$17.06 billion (US$576.35 million) from 2009 through next year for the IDF upgrade. The upgraded IDFs will have advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface radar and sophisticated electronic warfare systems, it said.