Taiwan test-fired missiles off its 600-ton Anping-class patrol vessel on Tuesday. The Anping is currently serving in offshore patrol, but it’s designed to carry missiles in wartime. Early Tuesday in Pingtung, Hsiung Feng II missiles were launched off the patrol boat, and they struck a target more than 100 kilometers away. According to a retired naval officer, the test is proof of concept that the ship can be used in wartime. But he says that the Anping would be especially vulnerable to airborne threats. Let’s hear from him.

Yang Yu-sheng
Retired Navy captain
The successful missile test on the Anping means that the conversion program is feasible and that the related personnel training is going to plan. This is comparable to battlefield verification. At least we know that the conversion program, including the program for personnel training, is feasible. Equipping the Anping with battle capabilities and allowing it to perform marine operations would expand our platform for naval warfare. That’s a positive. But these converted patrol vessels would need to take airborne threats into account, particularly drones.

The former officer hailed the successful test launch. But he said the military must enhance the ship’s survivability, before it can be a major contributor to coastal defense.