20 September 2012

News Story: Taiwan And The Ballistic Behemoth


September 19, 2012: Taiwan is now certain that China has over the last four years added 200 more ballistic missiles to the 1,400 already aimed at the island nation. That's up from 200 in 2000, and 800 eight years ago. Despite the peace seeking rhetoric from the Chinese, the Taiwanese still have to deal with this unprecedented array of ballistic missiles aimed at them.

While China began adding new DF-16 missiles recently, most of the ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan are DF-11 and DF-15 models. The DF-11 (also known as the M11) weighs 4.2 tons, has a range of 300 kilometers, and carries a .8 ton warhead. The DF-15 (M9) weighs 6.2 tons, has a range of 700 kilometers, and carries a half ton warhead. Both of these are solid fuel missiles, as is the new the DF-16.

Read the full story at StrategyPage