Concerns were raised in Taiwan after a device that is part of the country’s Carrier Killer missiles was sent to China for repairs.
Taiwan had shipped theodolites, an optical device that is used to calibrate its most advanced Hsiung-Feng III (Brave Wind III) anti-ship missiles, for repairs back to the manufacturer, Swiss company Leica Geosystems, for repairs. The company then sent the devices to China for repairs due to malfunctions.
This move worried many in Taiwan that sensitive data could have been lost to China, endangering Taiwan’s national security.
The Hsiung-Feng III is a supersonic missile with a range of 250 miles allowing it to hit China from Taiwan. It can hit targets on land as well as at sea and carries a 500-pound warhead.
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According to the Mirror Media magazine, the theodolites made by Leica are very advanced with unique telescope optics that can accurately measure various azimuths in only 0.5 seconds, which makes them popular in aerospace applications.
The Hsiung-Feng III missile was developed by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). The institute removed memory cards before sending the theodolites to Switzerland and ran an information technology security assessment immediately upon return to ensure that no harmful Chinese software was installed on the device.
Dr. Su Tzu-yun from Taiwan’s Institute of Defence Security Research said that the optical devices are not missile components but that the country must be more cognizant of protecting its national security interests.
“Taiwan must be more strict and careful in its contract management,” he said. “Of course, we would not want such equipment to be sent to China for repair.”
Under the government of President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan has been upgrading its defenses to defend against a Chinese invasion. The Hsiung Feng missile series is a big part of plans to transform Taiwan into a “hedgehog island” to deter military aggression from China.
Taiwan has already had security concerns about its missile program. In 2022, three employees of two Taiwanese companies received sentences ranging from four to 10 years in prison for using Chinese goods to fabricate missile components that were supposed to be produced by U.S. companies.
Ironically, the Hsiung Feng III piqued the interest of other countries after a missile was accidentally launched and struck a fishing boat in 2016.
Feature Image: The Hsiung-Feng III missile being fired. (Photo by 李德威/Military News Agency)
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It wasn’t sent for repairs. The Swiss sent it for alterations and scientific theft. Switzerland is controled by the Swiss WEF, who have touted the CCP form of government for many years. They have publicly stated that one of their goals is the ascendancy of Communist China. But, of course, that’s a conspiracy theory.
Berilliant
If you trust the CHinese, Russians, Iranians, Norks, you are totally insane.
unfortunately it is getting that way with our own gov’t !