How Taiwan's US$1.4 billion radar detected and tracked China's ballistic missile

Taiwan's long-range early-warning radar detected China's recent submarine-launched ballistic missile launch shortly after liftoff, enabling the island to monitor the missile's initial flight and share intelligence with the United States, according to a senior Taiwanese official, reports SCMP. The disclosure offers a rare look at Taiwan's missile-tracking capabilities and its intelligence cooperation with Washington amid heightened cross-strait tensions.

The official, quoted by the SCMP, said Taiwan's AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws early-warning radar detected the missile soon after it was launched from a nuclear-powered submarine in the South China Sea. The system tracked the missile's trajectory during the initial phase of its flight while it remained within the radar's coverage.

As the missile travelled eastward and moved beyond the radar's range, Taiwan shared intelligence with the United States. US satellites and long-range early-warning radars then continued tracking and monitoring the missile during the later phase of its flight.

Long-range radar plays key role in Taiwan's defence network

Taiwan's AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws radar is located at the Leshan Radar Station in Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan and was purchased from the United States.

Situated 2,600 metres above sea level, the radar can detect missile launches at distances of up to 5,000km, allowing it to monitor mainland China, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula. Taiwan's customised version has also been upgraded to improve its ability to detect low-altitude cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles.

Taiwan released missile trajectory after China's announcement

After Beijing announced the missile launch, Taiwan National Security Council Secretary General Joseph Wu posted a map on social media showing the reported flight path.

According to the map, the missile was launched from waters near China's southern coast, flew over the northern Philippines and landed in international waters between Nauru and Tonga. Wu identified the missile as a JL-2, a second-generation submarine-launched ballistic missile with intercontinental range.


China has not disclosed the missile type or its exact launch route. Military analysts have debated whether the test involved the JL-2 or the more advanced, longer-range JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile, and whether it was launched from waters such as the Bohai Sea in northern China, reports SCMP.

Missile tracking highlights Taiwan's surveillance capabilities

The disclosure offered a rare glimpse into Taiwan's ability to monitor Chinese missile activities in real time amid rising cross-strait tensions.

Senior Taiwanese officials have previously said the Pave Paws system has also monitored People's Liberation Army missile launches into waters east of Taiwan.

Taiwan is seeking closer defence cooperation with the United States, including expanded intelligence sharing, according to a report released by the island's defence ministry last year. Beijing has consistently opposed military cooperation between Washington and Taipei.

Radar system operational since 2013

Developed by US defence contractor Raytheon, the AN/FPS-115 radar became fully operational in 2013 and is considered a key part of Taiwan's early-warning architecture in the event of a conflict with the People's Liberation Army.

According to independent security outlet The Defence Blog quoted by SCMP, the system can detect ballistic missiles shortly after they rise above the radar horizon. It can also monitor aircraft, cruise missiles and maritime activity in the Taiwan Strait.

Concerns grow over radar's vulnerability

Taiwanese officials and military experts have expressed concerns that the radar, which cost about US$1.4 billion, could become a primary target in any conflict with the People's Liberation Army.

Those concerns intensified after reports that the upgraded AN/FPS-132 Block 5 early-warning radar in Qatar was damaged during an Iranian attack earlier this year. Taiwanese military experts have said the island should strengthen the defences around the Leshan Radar Station in light of that incident.

US criticises China over limited launch notice

The United States criticised China on Wednesday for providing only a few hours' notice before conducting the submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the Pacific.

A US State Department spokesperson told the SCMP that Washington monitored the July 6 missile test, which landed in the southern Pacific Ocean.

"The test occurred amid China's rapid and opaque nuclear weapons build-up and is of great concern to the region," the spokesperson said.

Taiwan issue remains a source of tension

Beijing considers Taiwan part of China and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. However, Washington opposes any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and remains committed to supplying it with weapons for its defence.