Taiwan plans to buy US-made Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile systems: Jane's

TAIPEI (AFP) Jul 24, 2003
Taiwan has formally presented a letter of request to the United States for the purchase of three Lockheed Martin Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries, Jane's Missiles and Rockets reports.

The US Department of Defense is currently conducting an evaluation of the request, the authoritative magazine says in its August 1st issue.

"Taiwan is moving forward on missile defence, including PAC-3 and EWR [early-warning radar]," a US government source told the magazine.

The source also stated that a positive, if not enthusiastic, recommendation is expected from the US defense department for approval of the PAC-3 deal as Washington considers the missile threat from the People's Liberation Army as the most serious risk to Taiwan's security.

The report said China has 100 Dong Feng-11 (M-11) and 300 Dong Feng-15 (M-9) tactical ballistic missiles deployed within range of Taiwan, which Beijing has considered a renegade province since the end of the civil war in

Taiwan has deployed three batteries of PAC-2 Plus anti-missile weaponry to defend the populous Greater Taipei area.

Rival China has warned that it would invade Taiwan should the island announce independence from the mainland.

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