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Taiwan releases video footage of Harpoon launch

August 19, 2004 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Taiwan's air force has confirmed it carried out its first test firing of American-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles in a display of the island's ability to ward off a Chinese invasion.
The Taiwan air force released footage shows an F-16 fighter jet firing the missile and destroying a target ship. They did not say however when the test took place.

Earlier China said it tested a new guided missile which hit its target with a high degree of precision. However there were no details about the missile's range or payload.

Al of this comes amid concerns about continuing tension between the two neighbours.

China and Taiwan have been diplomatic rivals since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Beijing describes Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reclaimed by force if necessary.

The Taiwanese 17th squadron, operating from Hualien AB, is now also armed with the U.S. air-to-air AIM-120 missiles

Taiwan bought 120 AIM-120s (some sources state 200) from the United States in 2000 but they were only delivered after China had test-fired the Russian-made air-to-air AA-12 missiles on June 2002.

Washington had delayed delivery to avoid criticism that it was fuelling an arms race in the Taiwan Strait and only delivered the missiles after Beijing acquired the equivalent AA-12.

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