According to information published by the "Taiwan News" on January 13, 2022, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) plans to purchase an additional batch of American Patriot III MSE air defense missile systems in 2025 and 2026 to strengthen its air defense capabilities.
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Taiwanese Patriot air defense missile system. (Picture source WhiteFleet.net)
In October 2021, Army Recognition has reported that Taiwan had signed a contract with the U.S. aimed at improving the efficiency of its Patriot PAC-3 missiles. According to the military balance 2021, Taiwan has one battalion equipped with MIM-104F Patriot PAC-3.
According to the SIPRI arms trade database, Taiwan has acquired seven American Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile system from 2011 to 2015, as well as 264 missiles MIM-104F PAC3 for a total amount of $3.2 billion.
The Patriot MIM-104 is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defense missile system designed to destroy tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. It is jointly produced by the American companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) is an evolution of the battle-proven PAC-3 Missile. The hit-to-kill PAC-3 MSE provides performance enhancements that counter evolving threat advancements. The enhancements ensure the PAC-3 Missile Segment of the PATRIOT Air Defense System is capable of engaging new and evolving threats. The hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile is the world’s most advanced, and capable theater air defense missile and defender against the entire threat to the PATRIOT Air Defense System: Tactical Ballistic Missiles (TBMs) carrying weapons of mass destruction, evolving cruise missiles and aircraft.
The PAC-3 MSE design utilizes the latest technology to significantly increase performance. The PAC-3 MSE incorporates a larger, dual pulse solid rocket motor; larger fins; and upgraded actuators and thermal batteries to accommodate increased performance. The modifications extend the missile’s reach.
The PAC-3 MSE is packaged in a single canister that stacks to provide logistical flexibility. Twelve individual PAC-3 MSE Missiles can be loaded on a PATRIOT Launcher or a combination of six MSEs and eight PAC-3 Missiles (two four packs) can be loaded.
