. 24/7 Space News .
Taiwan To Receive Early-Warning Radars From US: Jane's

missile defense off the back of the truck - Lockheed Martin/DoD photo
Taipei (AFP) June 13, 2002
Taiwan is to receive 11 Lockheed Martin long-range early-warning tactical radars to boost its air defense capability against rival China, it was reported Thursday.

The arms deal comprises seven AN/FPS-117 long-range radars and four AN/TPS-117 tactical transportable radars, Jane's Defence Weekly quoted local defence sources as saying in its latest issue.

The radars normally have tactical ballistic missile detection, tracking and anti-missile system cueing capabilities.

The FPS-117 is a 3-D Doppler-type radar with maximum altitude search of 30 kilometres (18 miles) and a 300-kilometre maximum range, the weekly said.

The FPS-117 qualifies as a "dual-use" platform for both air surveillance and en route air traffic control.

The TPS-117 version can be transported by Taiwanese air force C-130 medium tactical transport aircraft and assembled by a crew of six in less than one hour.

But "Taiwan opted not to include tactical ballistic missile (TBM) detection capabilities, but has the option of upgrading the radar in future," the weekly said.


straight up and down
Despite criticisms, analysts said Taiwanese military is also seeking to acquire the PAVE PAWS long-range radar warning system, with a minimum search range of 3,000 kilometers.

The Washington Times reported in April China has deployed an additional 20 Dong Feng-11 missiles to Yongan, Fujian province over the past three weeks.

The US daily said the 20 new missiles have brought the number of short-range ballistic missiles deployed across the Taiwan Strait to 350. The number will be lifted to 650 by the year 2005, it said.

Jane's also said Taiwan had been notified that the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency forwarded an air force request for three ITT AN/MPN-14K Air Traffic Control radar sets to the US Congress on June 4.

Congress is not expected to deny the 108-million-US-dollar purchase.

However, a US government official told the weekly that there was doubt the radar had undergone sufficient operational analysis for Taiwan's needs, and even if the sale was approved, there were suspicions Taiwan might not go ahead with the purchase.

Taiwan and China, split in 1949 at the end of a civil war, are still technically at war despite the commencement of civil contacts in the late 1980s.

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to invade should the island declare independence.

All rights reserved. � 2002 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

US Military Commander Warns Of Cross-Strait Arms Race
Hong Kong (AFP) April 18, 2002
China's growing weaponry targeting Taiwan will eventually force the US to consider boosting the island's missile defenses, the top US Asia-Pacific military commander said Thursday.



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.