Taiwan initiates mass production of Sky Sword II air-defence system

A mock-up of the Sky Sword II missile – locally known as the TC-2 land-based missile – is pictured at TADTE 2023. The missile structure consists of the active radar seeker, followed by the electronics section, proximity fuze, warhead, and rocket motor, ending in the exhaust. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)

Taiwan's state-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has started the mass production of its land-based short-to-medium-range air-defence capability known as the Sky Sword II (locally termed Tien Chien II), a Republic of China Army (RoCA) officer told Janes on 27 November.

The mass production has begun in order to meet the RoCA requirement for six Sky Sword II systems, the officer said.

A Sky Sword II system comprises one CS/MYS-951 Battle Management Center (BMC), one CS/MPQ-951 radar unit (RU), and four to five missile firing units (MFUs), the officer added.

The MFU can carry up to four Sky Sword II missiles, and the RoCA procurement of six Sky Sword II systems comprises six BMCs, six RUs, 29 MFUs, and 246 missiles, according to the officer.

The RoCA's Sky Sword II programme is worth TWD14.3 billion (USD453 million), with each missile costing around TWD20 million, the officer added.

Janes reported in mid-September that the RoCA plans to order land-based Sky Sword II air-defence systems to counter China's fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles.

In the National Defense Report 2023, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) also said it plans to acquire the Sky Sword II for the RoCA.

According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence,