Taiwan: Ballistic Missile Being Researched, Study Says

A report released by the U.S. think tank RAND said Taiwan is working to develop a medium-range ballistic missile with the potential to hit targets in mainland China, the Associated Press reported yesterday.

The report, “Taiwan’s Foreign and Defense Policies: Features and Determinants,” said that proposed missile could hit targets up to 620 miles away.  A Taiwanese Defense Ministry official denied that Taiwan was working on such a missile. 

The United States would likely learn of any tests or deployment of a Taiwanese ballistic missile and could attempt to convince Taiwan to halt the program, according to the report.  “Policymakers in Washington should be alerted to the possibility that the program is actually a ‘card’ to be dealt away in exchange for specific weapons systems (AEGIS or Upper Tier [missile defense systems]) or enhanced defense commitments,” the report said (William Foreman, Associated Press/Yahoo.com, Dec. 11).

To read the RAND report, click here.

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India:  Successful Prithvi Test Announced

India successfully test-fired a Prithvi surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads this morning.  The Indian Defense Ministry said the 250-kilometer range missile, which was developed by Indian scientists, hit its intended target.

“The test was successful and was flawless,” said an Indian defense spokesman.  (Agence France-Presse, Dec. 12).

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