The Taiwanese Air Force has made significant strides in its military capabilities by testing an air-launched version of the Hsiung Feng-III (HF-3) cruise missile, as reported by local media outlets. A photograph released by Taiwan’s United Daily News depicts an Indigenous Defense Fighter equipped with the new anti-ship missile, showcasing one missile mounted on each wing of the aircraft.
Details surfaced in the Taipei Times indicate that this missile testing is part of a broader military exercise. However, it remains uncertain whether this exercise included a live-fire test of the missile.
The Hsiung Feng-III missile, currently under development by the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), builds on the existing technology of the original HF-3. The initiative to create an air-launched variant was launched in 2022, primarily aimed at miniaturizing the missile for compatibility with aircraft. This new version of the missile is reportedly designed to be smaller and lighter than its naval and land-based predecessors.
According to specifications detailed by United Daily News, the new variant of the HF-3 measures 5.5 meters (approximately 18 feet) in length, has a diameter of less than 36 centimeters (around 14.17 inches), and weighs no more than 900 kilograms (about 1,984 pounds). In contrast, the original HF-3 is slightly more substantial, measuring 6.1 meters (20 feet) long, with a larger diameter of 46 centimeters (18 inches), and a weight of approximately 1,400 kilograms (3,090 pounds).
The HF-3 air-launched missile is designed to outperform existing systems, such as Taiwan’s subsonic Harpoon anti-ship missile, which is launched from F-16 aircraft. Featuring a liquid-fuel ramjet motor, the HF-3 can achieve supersonic speeds of Mach 3.5, significantly exceeding the Harpoon’s subsonic speed. Additionally, the HF-3 boasts an operational range of 150-300 kilometers (93-186 miles), compared to the Harpoon’s limited range of 125 kilometers (78 miles).
Originally projected to be fully developed by 2028, the Hsiung Feng-III project faced a temporary suspension, but development resumed in September 2024. It remains to be seen whether this pause will impact the timeline for the missile’s completion and operational status. Expectations are that the missile will undergo operational evaluation within this year, marking a crucial step in enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
