No need to worry over China missile deployment: MND

Focus Taiwan ^ | 3/17/2010 | Focus Taiwan

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Wednesday that it is closely monitoring China's deployment of missiles at a military airport in Fujian province and the Taiwan public has no need to worry.

MND spokesman Yu Sy-tue was responding to local newspaper report which cited a Canadian defense magazine as stating that China has deployed eight battalions of S-300 PMU2 surface-to-air missile system at its Longtian military airport in Fujian province, posing a threat to Taiwan's security.

The missiles have a range of 200 kilometers, and Taiwanese fighters entering air space in the northern Taiwan Strait will be susceptible to attacks as the strait is only 130 km wide at its narrowest point, the local Apple Daily stated.

Mirage 2000 fighters at the Hsinchu air base could be the first casualties, it added.

Yu said that the MND is monitoring the situation and has factored it into its military analysis and strategy.

"The situation is fully under control," Yu stressed. Legislator Lin Yu-fang of the ruling Kuomintang said that there is no need to be too nervous, as Taiwan's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) could also cover Chinese fighters maneuvering in the Taiwan Strait. In addition, the MND has deployed Hsiung Feng missiles on the outlying island of Matsu, which puts Chinese vessels within their striking range, he said.

[Irenic]

China should be a Chet99 post.

Wonderful, lovely.... until they turn.