Taiwan Navy Equips Ships with Sea Sword II Missiles, Demand Expected Over 1,000 Units

Taiwan's navy is significantly bolstering its air defense capabilities with the indigenous Sea Sword II missile system, equipping various classes of warships. This advanced missile is currently undergoing mass production and will be integrated into both current and future naval vessels, a move seen as crucial for countering evolving threats.

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The Sea Sword II missile is currently in mass production and is being equipped on multiple classes of warships, both existing and under construction, with the total demand estimated to exceed one thousand units, significantly enhancing the air defense capabilities of the navy's surface vessels.

The Sea Sword II is positioned as the primary medium-range air defense weapon for the navy's fleet. Its integration addresses previous limitations of older missile systems, which offered a weaker defensive radius. The successful development and integration of both angled and vertical launch systems (VLS) by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) are key to this upgrade. The missile's design allows for a "one-cell, four-missile" configuration in VLS, maximizing capacity on ships like the Kang Ding-class frigates, which will carry 32 missiles each, dramatically improving their ability to counter saturation attacks.

Naval planners anticipate a total demand exceeding 1,000 Sea Sword II missiles. This figure accounts for the "at-sea carry" quantity for 30 vessels across four classes, Kang Ding-class frigates, new generation light frigates, Tuo Chiang-class corvettes, and Yu Shan-class landing platform docks, which requires 688 missiles. Additionally, the navy plans to incorporate the Sea Sword II with the longer-range Sky Bow III missile on future combatants to create a comprehensive regional air defense network. The requirement for substantial stockpiles, estimated at 1.5 to 2 times the operational need, aims to ensure immediate replenishment capabilities during wartime and support regular training exercises like the Han Kuang drills.

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The navy has positioned the Sea Sword II as the main medium-range air defense force for various warships and patrol vessels, to counter the increasingly severe threat of drones and anti-ship missile saturation attacks from the mainland.

This strategic expansion of missile production and inventory underscores Taiwan's commitment to enhancing its defense self-sufficiency. The Sea Sword II shares component commonality with the Army and Air Force's Sky Sword II variants, streamlining production and logistics. The accelerated mass production by NCSIST aims to ensure the timely deployment of this "thousand-missile air defense umbrella" to solidify Taiwan's air defense network.

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The ammunition procurement for asymmetric warfare will absolutely not be limited to one ship carrying only one type of missile. Considering the need for warships to be able to return to port and immediately replenish and fight again during wartime, and accounting for consumption during annual live-fire exercises like Han Kuang, land-based ammunition depots must maintain at least 1.5 to 2 times the safety stock.