Taiwan ramps up production of TC-2 land-based air defense systems

Asia-Pacific, News November 29, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Taiwan has ramped up the production of its locally developed TC-2 air defense systems. Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has been tasked to oversee the production of the land-based air defense system.

Taiwanese military plans to acquire at least 30 mobile missile launchers, six combat control centers, six phased-array radar systems, and 246 Sky Sword II missiles as a part of the recently approved package that is worth $278 million.

Previously, the Taiwanese military had rejected the production and usage of the TC-2 defense system after several media reports suggested that the air defense system had not been tested completely.

Tien Chein II (TC-2) air defense system

First unveiled in 2015, the system was developed as a cost-effective air defense solution. The TC-2 uses the Sky Sword II missile and plays an important role in Taiwan’s “layered” air defense.

The Sky Sword II can reach up to 15 kilometers. It can be deployed alongside the U.S.-made Avenger missile system which the Taiwanese military is already using. One TC-2 system can fire between 16 and 20 Sky Sword II missiles. This puts the Sky Sword II and TC-2 missile system in the short-medium range (SHORAD) category, ahead of the Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) Avenger system.

Taiwan air defense missile system — *^{Taiwan’s land-based short to medium-range surface-to-air defense missile system Sky Sword II. (Image Credit: Weibo/Defenseblog)}*

Taiwan has been focusing on bolstering its aerial defense following frequent incursions from the Chinese warplanes, drones, and aircraft. Last month, Taiwan’s defense ministry said that it had detected 15 Chinese air force planes entering Taiwan’s air defense zone, including fighter jets and drones, accompanying Chinese warships carrying out “combat readiness patrols” and drills.

Weapons backlog from the U.S.

Taiwan’s increasing efforts to ramp up the production of locally manufactured air defense systems are partially due to the delays in the weapons supply for the U.S. Taiwanese officials have been stressing their Western partners and especially the U.S. counterparts to mature the deals and supply the required weapons at the earliest.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and its Western allies have been focusing on providing weapons, and especially air defense systems, to Ukraine and the countries of NATO’s easter flank. This has resulted in a major shortage of supply to Taiwan. Taipei has a nearly $19 billion weapons backlog with the U.S.

Earlier this year, the U.S. House representatives wrote a letter to the U.S. State Department and Biden administration highlighting the importance of increasing weapons supply to Taiwan amid China’s increasing military pressure in the region.

Taiwan Stinger missile launcher — *^{Taiwan Marines using dual-mounted Stinger (DMS) missile launcher. (Image Credit: Republic of China Navy)}*

Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden drafted an unprecedented $100 billion foreign aid package that included military assistance for Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel.

White House sent the request to the U.S. Congress seeking approval for the aid package, however, the House only approved legislation to provide $14.5 billion worth of military aid to help Israel with its attack in Gaza.