Taiwan coastguard’s rare missile firing reveals deepening links w

Taiwan's coastguard has launched rare missile firings during recent military drills, signaling analysts believe deepening operational links with the nation's navy. The agency fired a supersonic anti-ship missile last week in what experts describe as an unusual move by civilian law enforcement intended to complicate potential war plans against the PLA Navy.

On Friday, the Anping-class coastguard patrol vessel Qijin launched its home-grown Hsiung Feng III, or HF-3. This weapon struck a decommissioned navy frigate located more than 100km (62 miles) away, according to local media reports. The exercise also included the firing of an HF-2, an older subsonic anti-ship weapon by the coastguard alongside drills involving Taiwan's army, navy and air force.

This action marks a significant expansion in capability. At least three named vessels from the coastguard's 12-ship Anping class have now fired Hsiung Feng missiles. This progression underscores a broader strategic effort to transform these patrol boats into an additional pool of naval strike platforms. Analysts suggest that further integrating this agency with the military would multiply threats to the PLA Navy in any future conflict scenario.

Source: South China Morning Post