US Agrees to Allow Test-firing in Taiwan 空軍:若保防做好 美允愛三飛彈在台試射

The military has 444 Patriot 3 missiles that can be fired from positions all around Taiwan to counter China's missile threat. The Air Force says the U.S. has agreed to test-firing Patriot missiles in Taiwan as long as defensive measures are taken.

During China's blockade of Taiwan in August, the military dispatched Patriot 3 missiles and tracked and monitored them via radar. Patriot 3 missiles are anti-ballistic missiles and capable of intercepting targets at a maximum distance of 35 kilometers and a maximum altitude of 20 kilometers. The military has 444 Patriot 3 missiles and there are launch systems located around Taiwan. However, the U.S. has refused to allow the military to test-fire the missiles in Taiwan to prevent China from stealing their parameters. A breakthrough was recently reported.

Wen Yu-hsia, Legislator (KMT): “These Patriot 3 missiles, have they been test-fired domestically or abroad? Why do we have to go to Hawaii?”
Huang Chih-wei, Air Force Chief of Staff: “Some were test-fired as part of an exchange and there were plans to test-fire some here. As long as we take the necessary defensive precautions, we will be able to test-fire them here.”

The Air Force confirmed that the U.S. has granted permission for the first time to test-fire Patriot 3 missiles in Taiwan, which is regarded as an important breakthrough in the bilateral military relationship. A former Air Force deputy commander says the military has test-fired the missile on two occasions in the U.S.. For one of those trips, the military sent 30 people to verify the missile's combat capabilities and one missile was fired at a cost of over NT$100 million. If the missiles can be test-fired in Taiwan, the cost will be much lower and the military's combat capability will also improve.

Chang Yan-ting, Former Air Force Deputy Commander: “Let's say China fires Dongfeng ballistic missiles at us. When is the opportune time to fire Patriot 3 missiles to intercept and destroy them? The interception line, the ballistic line, and the destruction point can all be calculated clearly.”

Su Tzu-yun, Director, Div. of Defense Strategy & Resources, INDSR: “I think the military can effectively respond if their electronic reconnaissance aircraft and naval vessels try to detect the parameters. These can use monitoring and dispelling methods to dispel Chinese aircraft and warships from the areas where they can detect the parameters. ”

The U.S. is concerned about China stealing missile parameters. Scholars say the military is capable of preventing China from doing so. Taiwan has also purchased Patriot 3 missiles with an extended range from the U.S. and they are scheduled to arrive in batches in 2025 and 2026 although the U.S. hasn't issued an LOA. The Air Force said the U.S. is still in the administrative process review stage and the deal will be honored on schedule.
 

中共8月圍台軍演，國軍出動愛國者三型飛彈，透過雷達追監，維持高度戒備。愛三飛彈能反制彈道飛彈，攔截距離35公里、攔截高度20公里，目前國軍擁有444枚愛三飛彈，全台北中南都有部署飛彈陣地。不過，美方擔憂中共竊取飛彈參數，沒有同意在台實彈試射，現在有了重大突破。

針對國民黨立委溫玉霞提問：「愛三飛彈將在國內還是在國外試射? 我們會跑到夏威夷去?」

對此，空軍參謀長黃志偉回應：「有些是我們國內外交流的項目，有些在國內有做過試射，所以這個是在我們做好相關保防措施之後，這個是可以在國內試射的。」

中共飛彈威脅與日俱增，空軍證實，美方首度同意愛三可在台進行試射，被視為台美軍事合作重要里程碑。前空軍副司令張延廷指出，國軍曾在美國試射兩次愛三飛彈，一趟派出30人赴美驗證愛三接戰能力。打1枚愛三飛彈成本要價上億元，若能順利在台試射，可大幅降低成本，提升實戰能力。

前空軍副司令張延廷表示：「模擬中共的東風系列彈道飛彈過來迎擊，我們什麼時候時機，剛好發射這個愛三飛彈去攔截，然後摧毀目標。剛好整個配套措施，它的攔截線、它的彈道線、最後它的摧毀點在什麼位置，可以算得非常清楚。」

國防院國防戰略與資源研究所長蘇紫雲認為：「這個電子偵察機，還有就是它的船艦，企圖搜取這些參數的話，我想國軍可以有效應對。也就是藉由這個監控，還有就是驅離的方法，來把中共機艦驅離到這個，就是它可以偵蒐參數的這個範圍之外。」

至於美方關切飛彈參數被偵蒐的疑慮，蘇紫雲認為，國軍有能力防範共軍情蒐。此外，國軍向美方採購增程型愛三飛彈，預計2025年、2026年分批交運，但目前仍沒獲得發價書。對此空軍表示，美方已在行政程序審查階段，台美對此案有高度共識，持續按期程進行。