Taiwan will be equipped with the new MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System Ray Ting 2000 2307125

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Defense News - Taiwan
 
 
Monday, July 23, 2012, 04:41 PM
 
Taiwan will be equipped with the new MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System Ray Ting 2000.
Taiwan is scheduled to take delivery next month of the new powerful multiple-launch rocket system aimed at neutralising former rival China's amphibious landing capabilities, local media reported Sunday, July 22, 2012.
     
Taiwan is scheduled to take delivery next month of the new powerful multiple-launch rocket system aimed at neutralising former rival China's amphibious landing capabilities, local media reported Sunday, July 22, 2012.
Taiwanese Ray Ting 2000 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System
     

The weapon, called Ray Ting 2000 or "Thunder 2000", will be put into service in August, said the Taipei-based Liberty Times, as the military plans to phase out the current rocket system introduced three decades ago.

"After it is armed with the new weapons, the military will see its anti-landing capability be greatly enhanced," said an unnamed military source quoted by the newspaper.

Taiwan defence ministry officials were unavailable for comment on the report.

The multi-barrel system, developed by military research unit Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology, can launch 40 rockets in a minute with a range of 45 kilometres (28 miles), said military experts cited by the report.

That longer range capability can neutralise amphibious craft before they reach the shore, they added.

The truck-mounted launchers can be combat ready in eight minutes, less than half the time the current system needs to position itself, the report said.

The ministry plans to produce more than 50 systems at a cost of 14.5 billion Taiwan dollars (US$483 million), local media has reported.