Taiwan Deploys New HF-3ER Supersonic Missiles to Threaten Chinese Warships
Taiwan has officially deployed its latest HF-3ER (Hsiung Feng III Extended Range) supersonic anti-ship missiles. The deployment was publicly confirmed during the Han Kuang 41 military exercises, held from July 9 to 18, 2025—Taiwan’s largest and most comprehensive defense drill to date.
The extended-range HF-3ER, developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), marks a substantial upgrade over the earlier HF-3 model. Capable of engaging hostile naval forces at a distance of up to 400 kilometers, the missile gives Taiwan the ability to strike well beyond its coastline, potentially targeting Chinese warships before they get close to Taiwanese waters.
First Public Deployment and Presidential Inspection
On July 15, 2025, during the ongoing Han Kuang exercises, President Lai Ching-te visited a deployment site in the Bali District of New Taipei, where at least four HF-3ER mobile launchers were stationed. These were supported by naval coastal defense units, light tactical Army vehicles, and a Navy communications relay truck—all positioned near Taipei Port under tight security.
This was the first time the HF-3ER system was shown publicly, signaling Taiwan’s intent to deter Chinese aggression through advanced missile deterrence.
What Makes the HF-3ER Unique?
The HF-3ER is an advanced evolution of the HF-3, which was first tested in 1997 and entered service in 2011. Key enhancements include:
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Extended Range: From 150 km (standard HF-3) to 400 km, allowing reach into China’s Zhejiang and Guangdong naval bases.
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High Speed: Travels at Mach 2.3 to Mach 3.5, making interception highly difficult.
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Heavy Warhead: Equipped with a 225-kg semi-armor-piercing and fragmentation warhead.
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Advanced Guidance: Combines inertial navigation with terminal radar homing for pinpoint accuracy.
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Multi-platform Capability: Can be launched from mobile ground units, ships, and potentially aircraft.
To support the new propulsion system, its launch canisters were redesigned with 21 reinforcement ribs, up from 18 on the earlier model.
Integration with Taiwan’s Defense Network
The HF-3ER isn’t just a missile—it’s part of a broader five-layer coastal defense strategy. This strategy includes:
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Long-range missiles (HF-3ER, Yun Feng)
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Mobile artillery and HIMARS
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Attack helicopters (like the AH-64E Apache)
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Inland missile batteries
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Armored ground forces
During Han Kuang 41, the 269th Mechanized Infantry Brigade built a layered urban blockade near Taipei Port, supported by M1A2T Abrams tanks, Patriot systems, Stingers, and Clouded Leopard armored vehicles. These exercises also included Taipei’s metro tunnels, which were used to move troops and weapons, reflecting the island’s shift toward urban warfare and asymmetric defense tactics.
Production and Future Deployment
The Ministry of National Defense has allocated NT$44.1 billion (US$1.5 billion) for HF-3 and HF-3ER production under the Sea-Air Power Enhancement Special Budget (2022–2026). Initial output began at 20 units annually but has since risen to nearly 70 missiles per year.
The HF-3ER is intended to equip mobile land units, warships like the Keelung-class destroyers, and possibly even aircraft such as the F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter and Brave Eagle trainers. A test flight with air-launched versions was reportedly conducted in early 2025.
Strategic Implications
The deployment of the HF-3ER gives Taiwan a critical stand-off strike capability, enabling it to target Chinese naval assets far before they reach Taiwanese shores. This changes the strategic equation in the Taiwan Strait, introducing a system capable of saturation attacks, mobile launches, and survivability through dispersion.
However, such a move is not without geopolitical risk. The extended-range and public deployment of the missile are likely to be seen by Beijing as a provocation, potentially escalating tensions further. But from a Taiwanese defense perspective, the HF-3ER is a key pillar in its asymmetric defense doctrine, aimed at ensuring the island's survival in the face of overwhelming odds.
With the introduction of the HF-3ER, Taiwan has signaled that it will not passively wait in the event of a conflict. By extending its anti-ship missile reach, reinforcing urban and coastal defenses, and integrating homegrown technology into its military strategy, Taiwan is positioning itself to resist any potential blockade or invasion scenario. The HF-3ER is more than just a missile—it is a message of resilience and readiness.
