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Taiwan's live fire missile show a flop
Tuesday, 18 January 2011, 23:45 IST
Taipei: Taiwan held a live-fire missile test to show its self-defense capabilities, but nearly one-third of the missiles missed their target.
The drill comes as Chinese President Hu Jintao starts his visit to the U.S. one week after China unveiled its first stealth fighter.
The military fired 19 missiles at the Chiupeng base in the island's south but six missed target.
President Ma Ying-jeou, who watched the drill, said he was "not very satisfied".
"Whatever the reason is there is still room for improvement. I have always instructed the troops to beef up training and keep our war-preparedness at a high level," he said.
Air Force Lieutenant General Pan Kung-hsiao said the six missiles failed due to propulsion problems, and Taiwan would contact their manufacturers to solve the problems.
The weapons were supplied by several manufacturers in France, the U.S. and Taiwan. It was not clear which missiles missed the target or malfunctioned.
Taiwan, split from China since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, has been increasingly worried over China modernizing its armed forces as Beijing regards the island as a breakaway province.
The U.S. remains Taiwan's main arms supplier, but Taipei fears the U.S. might sacrifice Taiwan's interests while trying to improve ties with China.
Source: IANS
Source: IANS
