The Other Problems with this war on Terrorism has drawn our attention
away from other countries manufacturing weapons. Now, Chinese or more
politically correct Taiwan has been modifying weapons.

This info has been heard of but, never thought that it had any
relevance. Regardless, if it does or not my opinion is that it can pose
a possible threat if they decide to sell the weapons to another country
including any muslim or even the Taliban.

Our Government has known for a long time has known that Taiwan has been
relatively quiet about its long range missile programs. But recently,
senior officials mentioned that Taiwan does have missiles that can reach
targets deep inside China. Also mentioned was a recent wargame, where
Taiwanese used these missiles to defeat a Chinese attempt to invade
Taiwan. Apparently, someone is sending a message.


About, two years ago Taiwan tested a cruise missile version of its
Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile. This baby has a range of over 500
kilometers, and a highly accurate guidance system, the missile could do
a lot of damage to the many Chinese military targets near the coast.
Taiwan had held off on mass production of the missile, so as not to
alarm China, and to avoid the enormous expense of building up a Hsiung
Feng stockpile. The missiles cost over $300,000 each. There are already
over 700 Chinese ballistic missiles across 160 kilometers wide the
Taiwan Straits. The Hsiung Feng is capable of hitting land targets along
the Chinese coast, and deep inland, including a GPS guidance system.



Last year, Taiwan revealed that it had developed yet another version of
its Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missile. This one is launched from trucks
or fixed launchers, has a range of at least 600 kilometers and is
intended to go after targets on the Chinese mainland. Only if China
attempts to invade Taiwan, of course. Three prototypes have been built,
and production has apparently already begun. Current plans are for 500
of these one ton Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missiles to be put in service.
They apparently use GPS guidance and some stealth features, to make them
less liable to getting shot down. Using a more efficient engine, range
could be extended to 1,000 kilometers or more. The Hsiung Feng IIE is
pretty cheap, about $300,000 each, and carries a 500 pound warhead. The
Hsiung Feng IIE project has been kept quiet, with few details released
officially. Apparently this was done so as to not alarm the Chinese, at
least in public.



Taiwan also built their own version of the American AGM-154A JSOW (Joint
Stand Off Weapon). The Taiwanese version is called the Wan Chien. JSOW
is basically a smart bomb with wings. That enables it to glide up to 70
kilometers from the aircraft dropping it, to a target on the ground.
Range is about 25 kilometers if dropped from low altitude. JSOW also
contains more elaborate fins and software that enables it to follow a
specific route. Like the wingless JDAM smart bomb, JSOW uses GPS and
inertial guidance (as a backup) to find its target. Like JDAM, JSOW hits
within 30 feet of its aiming point. The U.S. pays about $250,000 for
each JSOW. The Taiwanese could use their Wan Chien. JSOW as a form of
HARM to take out the latest Chinese air defense radars. Taiwan is also
building its own version of HARM, called Tien Chien 2A. JDAM technology
is a lot simpler than these two other projects, and Taiwan could easily
design and build its own. Refusing to sell them just costs the U.S.
export sales. On the other hand, it allows the United States to tell
China that it didn't sell JDAM to Taiwan, thus "defusing" tensions over
Taiwan. In reality, of course, Taiwan can just go build their own JDAM,
which they will probably do.


The main question i think is Beside defending their country from
invasion from the Chinese will Taiwan use this to an advantage and
support the U.S.A or will they sell it to the highest bidders

I rather think that if you were able to come by all this information, it
is hardley a secret to our government. How may terrorist attacks have
stemmed from Taiwan. How much of a threat have they posed, how much
destruction power, given thier economic status, could they threaten
with?

I don't know much about world politics, I dont' know who is or could or
would have a reason to be allied with Taiwan , but I so believe that our
govenment knows these things and it is not necessary for that
information to be shared with the general public if there is something
being watched. It may be better for our govnt if it's not known they
are watching.

Alarmist thinking coult lead to wrong actions.

you know maybe you can clarify=


the US has hinted to tawian that if china does try to attack them ,
reinstating them into china that we would provide them support.

computer models of such an attack has been played out at the .... well
utsnokoro you know where, and all models say that china would eventually
pull back out with both sides suffering heavy losses, the US was never
plugged into any of the models ran...

so the clarification,,,
we're helping them out right, so why are they a threat again?




doc

Hey, Doc what would happen if a country that we helped out got pissed by
our government. Would it be like we were fighting ourselves.

well shadow, that is the question isnt it, wouldnt be the first time tho
would it. not that it matters , i know he answer to the question, awain
is about as american as canada, i wouldnt be worried about them hurting
us just like i wouldnr be worried about australia or britian.



doc

Doesnt seem like a problem to me that we stand by Taiwan. Why would it
be a problem?

If China uses force to force Taiwan to step into line, then they have
every right to retaliate. If they use missiles that have been modified
with our "tacit approval" - so what.

After all, its China thats said "millitary force" is an open option if
Taiwan doesnt change its independence plans. Not the other way around.

Wars and rumors.

Jeez...

Next youll be posting about some war in (insert a place in the world
here).

you are correct AB- sometimes it takes someone who is detatched to bring
reason back to the insainity. appreciate it, thanks.




doc