| Country: |
Taiwan |
| Alternate Name: |
Sky Horse |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Surface based |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 350 kg |
| Warhead: |
HE |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage solid |
| Range: |
950 km |
| Status: |
Terminated |
Details
The Tien Ma missile program was designed to create a short-range, ground based, solid propellant missile. It was initially started in 1993 to extend the Republic of China (ROC)’s defense of Taiwan to inland of the Chinese mainland. The program was cancelled soon after it began because of technical problems, but then restarted in 1996 after the threat from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) began to escalate. The program was however permanently abandoned in 2000 after the technology for use in the Tien Ma was outmoded. In 2005 there were reports that Taiwan was developing 120 MRBM with a 1,000 km range missile; there is some confusion about whether the reports refer to the Ti Ching, Tien Chi or the Tien Ma programs. It is denied denied by the Defense Ministry.
The Tien Ma 1 missile was designed to allow strikes against the mainland of the PRC. The range would have allowed for attacks against PRC cities and inland military targets. The payload is reasonable for use against military targets, but insufficient against population centers. The ROC currently relies upon the United States for its deterrent, so the development of this capability would not fit into ROC missile doctrine. It is probable that the weapon would have been used with powerful high explosive warheads against strategic targets in military and civilian areas, such as command bases, power plants and airfields. ROC guidance technology is sufficiently advanced to be able to strike these targets and successfully undermine the PRC military’s ability to undertake an invasion.
The missile project has probably been replaced, but the ROC maintains extensive secrecy around its missile systems in the face of a likely communist invasion. The Tien Ma 1 was intended to have a range of 950 km (590 miles) and a payload of 350 kg. The concept called for a two-stage solid propellant rocket, capable of being readily fired. It is probably road mobile, to allow for faster deployment. It is likely the program replacing the Tien Ma has similar capabilities.(1)
Footnotes
- Robert Karniol, “Taiwan develops next-generation strike missiles,” Jane’s Missiles and Rockets, 1 October 2000; Wendell Minnick, “Taiwan has no Tien Ma ballistic missiles,” Jane’s Missiles and Rockets, 23 September 2002; Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 173.
Report: North Korea and Iran Collaborating on Missiles, Using Chinese Technology
August 4, 2006 :: Reuters :: News
North Korea has been working closely with Iran to develop its long-range ballistic missiles, using Chinese technology, according to a recent report by a state-run South Korean think tank. The report was produced by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, and authored by Yun Deok-min. The collaboration is part of an international network, including Pakistan, that has made it possible for the impoverished North Korea to develop and deploy missiles despite scarce resources and limited testing. Pyongyang is believed to have built two underground missile bases in a mountainside in the central part of its land border with China. The bases “are located in positions that make them impossible to be attacked unless strikes come across the Chinese border, as they are positioned near the Sino-North Korea border and are in the mountainside,” the report said. The report also asserted that North Korea has been constructing new underground missile bases and silos along its east coast to deploy intermediate-range missiles aimed at Japan and U.S. military facilities.
During a Senate hearing last week, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton noted that, “There is, no doubt, a very extensive Chinese cooperation with the Iranian ballistic missile program.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Iran, North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
Report: North Korea Building Missile Bases Targeting Japan
August 3, 2006 :: AP :: News
North Korea is building new bases on its east coast, possibly to deploy ballistic missiles against Japan and U.S. forces, according to a state-run South Korean think tank. The report was produced by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security and authored by Yun Deok-min. “New underground missile bases have been built or are under construction around the border with China and along the east coast,” the report said. “[Those] on the east coast could be seen as bases for medium- or long-range missiles targeting Japan and US military bases in Japan.” The report added that North Korea might plan to deploy Taep’o-dong-2 long-range ballistic missiles at the new bases. (Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, South Korea
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
Reports: North Korean Taep’o-dong Exploded 1.5 km from Launch Site
July 30, 2006 :: Reuters :: News
U.S. military sources report today that the Taep’o-dong 2 long-range ballistic missile test fired by North Korea on July 5 exploded in midair within some 1.5 kilometers of its launch site. The new information contradicts earlier claims by the Japanese government, which had estimated that the Taep’o-dong 2 had reached the Sea of Japan 400-600 km away from the Musudanri missile base in North Hamgyong Province. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
LA Times: North Korea-Iran Ties Strengthening
July 27, 2006 :: LA Times :: News
The Los Angeles Times today published a report on the growing ties between North Korea and Iran, including the possible sale of ballistic missiles to Tehran. The report quotes Israeli intelligence sources, who believe that the Islamic Republic recently bought 18 intermediate-range missiles from Pyongyang. In April 2006, Israeli intelligence chief Amos Yadlin stated that Israel had evidence that the sale had taken place, and that the 18 missiles in question were based on the Russian SS-N-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile. According to Yadlin, the North Korean variant has a range of 2,500 km, which would allow Iran to attack Israel and much of southern Europe. The Los Angeles Times also quotes Uzi Rubin, former head of the Israeli missile defense program, who recently stated that Iran is also interested in North Korea’s long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile, which would greatly extend its striking power.
According to the Times, the North Korea-Iran nexus dates back to the 1980s when Pyongyang sold missiles and launchers to Tehran for use in the Iran-Iraq War. The two nations later collaborated on the development of Iran’s Shahab missiles, which are based on the North Korean No-dong. In recent years, satellites have spotted Iranian cargo planes at Pyongyang’s Sunan Airport, and U.S. intelligence now believes that Iran conducted a missile test on North Korea’s behalf on at least one occasion. Last week, reports emerged that Iranian observers had been on hand to witness North Korea’s July 4 test launch of seven long- and short-range missiles, including the Taep’o-dong 2. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Iran, Israel, North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: SS-N-17, Tien Ma 1
WSJ on the Taep’o-dong Democrats’ Opposition to Missile Defense
July 21, 2006 :: The Wall Street Journal :: Analysis
Today’s lead editorial in the Wall Street Journal lambastes “Taep’o-dong Democrats” for their continued opposition to missile defense, even after North Korea’s test launch of its long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile. The editorial provides a succinct history of Democratic opposition to missile defense, dating back to 1983 when Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) dismissed President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative as a fanciful “Star Wars” program. Ten years later, with President Clinton in the Oval Office, Democrats starved SDI of funding and eliminated promising research and development initiatives such as Brilliant Pebbles. Congressional Republicans managed to keep the program alive as part of their Contract with America, although they were forced to spend the greater part of the 1990s battling the Clinton administration on the issue. When President Bush withdrew the U.S. from the defunct 1972 ABM Treaty, thus allowing the U.S. to develop missile defense assets to meet the challenges of the post-Cold War era, Democrats stood in firm opposition. Former Vice President Al Gore had actually campaigned in 2000 to keep the treaty; Senator Joe Biden (D-DW) predicted that dropping out of the treaty to build missile defenses would turn the U.S. into “a kind of bully nation”; and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) warned that “we must not set aside the logic of deterrence that has kept us safe for 40 years.” Democrats remained staunchly opposed to missile defense even after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Just this year, Representative John Tierney (D-MA) attempted to cut the Pentagon’s missile defense budget by over 50 percent, a proposal that won the support of more over half of his Democratic colleagues, including would-be Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). This June, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) attempted to cut off all funding for the ground-based interceptor program, which was recently activated to defend the U.S. against a potential North Korean missile attack.
The Wall Street Journal rightfully takes Democrats to task for maintaining their rigid anti-BMD positions, even after North Korea’s test launching of its long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile, which is capable of hitting the continental U.S., the growing nuclear threat from Iran, and the further proliferation of missile technology from rouge nations such as Iran and Syria to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah. The editorial correctly states that, although no defense system is perfect, the U.S. BMD shield has made significant progress in recent SM-3, PAC-3, and THAAD tests, provides a limited defense against North Korean missiles, adds to the credibility of the U.S. deterrent, reassures our allies abroad, and enhances U.S. influence on the global stage. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Analysis, North Korea, Policy
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
Iranian Observers Present at Recent North Korean Missile Tests
July 20, 2006 :: Reuters :: News
Iranian observers were present at all of the seven recent missile tests by North Korea, according to the State Department. Speaking before a U.S. Senate hearing, Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, the chief U.S. negotiator with Pyongyang, confirmed that Iranian representatives had observed all seven tests, which included the launch of a Taep’o-dong 2 long-range ballistic missile, and six shorter-range No-dong and Scud missiles.
In recent weeks, U.S. officials have expressed serious concerns that cash-strapped Pyongyang has been attempting to sell its ballistic missiles and possibly nuclear material. “Our understanding is that North Korea has had a number of commercial relations in the Middle East with respect to missiles,” Hill said. The worry is that Pyongyang will proliferate its technology to rogue nations such as Iran, or transnational Islamic terrorist organizations. Hill and Senator George Allen (R-VA) noted that North Korea’s ties with Iran are of even greater concern now, as the Islamic militant group Hezbollah, backed by Iran, fires its Iranian-made rockets and cruise missiles at Israel. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Iran, North Korea, Proliferation
» Missile details: No-dong 1, Tien Ma 1
South Korea Announces New Missile Defense Command
July 16, 2006 :: AP :: News
South Korea plans to set up a missile defense command to counter threats from North Korean ballistic missiles and long-range artillery, reports the AP. According to an official from South Korea’s Defense Ministry, the command will be established between September and October 2006 as part of the army. It will be headquartered in central South Korea, and will control the country’s artillery powers including multiple-launch rocket systems and ground-to-ground missiles. The move follows North Korea’s July 5 test launching of at least seven missiles, including the long-range Taep’o-dong 2. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, South Korea
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
Seoul Downplays North Korean Test, Draws Domestic Criticism
July 10, 2006 :: The Chosun Ilbo (S. Korea) :: News
In recent days, the South Korean government has attempted to downplay the significance of North Korea’s recent missile tests. Lee Baek-man, public relations secretary to South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun, yesterday issued a statement saying that North Korea’s actions “should not be made into a national security crisis” even though some may try to make it so “for political motives.” The statement noted that the missiles launched by Pyongyang on Wednesday were “not designed to target anyone in particular,” and warned against “making a fuss like Japan.” Suh Choo-suk, the senior presidential secretary for security policy, attempted to clarify this statement by saying that President Roh is trying “not to exaggerate the security tensions the North’s missile launches have created in the eyes of the public.”
Two major South Korean dailies, Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo, however, have strongly criticized President Roh and his government for what they view as an extremely weak response to North Korea’s missile tests. Chosun Ilbo, the largest newspaper in the South Korea, referred to its government’s actions as “effectively disregarding the military threat altogether.” Some critics observed that such actions “fits in only too well with the government’s policy of not provoking the North at whatever cost.” Dong-A Ilbo noted that Pyongyang’s Nodong and Scud missiles, all of which are capable of striking South Korea with nuclear warheads, are more threatening to Seoul than to Washington or Toyko and therefore warrant a commensurate level of condemnation, which has not yet materialized. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, South Korea
» Missile details: NHK-1/2, Tien Ma 1
Bush: U.S. Had “Reasonable Chance” of Intercepting North Korean Missile
July 7, 2006 :: AP :: News
President Bush said today that the U.S. military had “a reasonable chance” of shooting down North Korea’s Taep’o-dong 2 long-range ballistic missile on Wednesday, had the missile not failed during its test launch. Speaking before reporters in Chicago, the President added that “our anti-ballistic systems are modest, they are new.” If the North Korean missile had continued to what is now believed to have been its intended target, an area off the coast of Hawaii, the Pentagon might have targeted the Taep’o-dong with any number of 11 ground-based interceptor missiles currently deployed at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI)
Report: North Korean Missile Was Aimed Off Hawaii
July 7, 2006 :: Reuters :: News
The long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile test-launched by North Korea this week was aimed at an area of the ocean close to Hawaii, reports the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun The information comes from data collected by U.S. and Japanese Aegis-equipped destroyers on the Taep’o-dong’s angle of take-off and altitude. The Sankei Shimbun speculated that North Korea may have targeted Hawaii to demonstrate to the U.S. that it was capable of landing a missile there, or because the island is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific fleet. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
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