The Taiwanese Armed Forces (formally the Republic of China Armed Forces) plans to buy further Stinger missiles from the U.S. so as to meet the air protection wants. Taiwan News reported that the choice comes after President Tsai Ing-wen’s announcement of conscription reform on Dec. 27. Starting Jan. 1, 2024, males born after 2005 should serve within the army for one 12 months. As a way to adjust to the resumption of one-year conscription, the army has obtained varied weapons similar to pistols, mortars, and machine weapons, and continued to take inventory of different required arms, together with Stinger missiles. Moreover, with the lengthening of army service, live-fire goal observe is anticipated to extend considerably.
In keeping with the Ministry of Nationwide Protection’s funds for subsequent 12 months, the Taiwanese Navy intends to purchase 500 Stinger missiles, of which 250 can be given to the Military, and 250 of which can be handed over to the Marines or different naval forces, the report stated. All deliveries are anticipated by 2025. Final week, 71 Chinese language plane together with fighter jets and drones entered Taiwan’s air protection identification zone in 24 hours, the biggest reported incursion thus far. The Wall Road Journal reported a couple of month in the past that Taiwan’s authorities is dealing with delays in arms shipments from the U.S. of as much as $19 billion. Among the many delayed weapons are Javelin anti-tank weapons, Stinger surface-to-air missiles, and M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers.
Commercial
The FIM-92 Stinger is an American man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) that operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM). The missile is 5.0 ft (1.52 m) lengthy and a pair of.8 in (70 mm) in diameter with 3.9 in (100 mm) fins. The missile itself weighs 22 lb (10.1 kg), whereas the missile with its launch tube and integral sight, fitted with a gripstock and Identification good friend or foe (IFF) antenna, weighs roughly 34 lb (15.2 kg). It has a focusing on vary of as much as 4,800 m and might have interaction low altitude enemy threats at as much as 3,800 m. The Stinger is launched by a small ejection motor that pushes it a protected distance from the operator earlier than participating the principle two-stage solid-fuel sustainer, which accelerates it to a most velocity of Mach 2.54 (750 m/s). The warhead incorporates 1.02 kg (2.25 lb) of HTA-3 explosive with an influence fuze and a self-destruct timer that capabilities 17 seconds after launch.
In 2019, the U.S. State Division has made a willpower approving a attainable International Army Sale to the Taiwanese authorities for the Stinger missiles and associated gear and help for an estimated value of $223.56 million. The Taiwanese authorities has requested to purchase 2 hundred fifty (250) Block I -92F MANPAD Stinger missiles and 4 (4) Block I -92F MANPAD Stinger Fly-to-Purchase missiles. Additionally included is one (1) Captive Flight Coach (CFT), twenty-three (23) Discipline Dealing with Trainers (FHTs), 100 eight (108) Gripstock Management Teams, 100 eight (108) Medium Thermal Weapon Sights (MTWS), seven (7) Monitoring Head Trainers (THTs), two (2) Sierra Coolant Recharging Models (CRUs), one (1) Missile Go/No Go Check Set, 100 eight (108) Identification Pal or Foe (IFF), spare and restore elements.
