Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile
Overview
The Hsiung Feng III ("Brave Wind III") is Taiwan's indigenous supersonic anti-ship missile — dubbed the "aircraft-carrier killer" in Taiwanese media — and the high-speed, high-end complement to the workhorse Hsiung Feng II in the island's sea-denial arsenal. Developed by NCSIST, it is designed specifically to strike and sink the large warships, including aircraft carriers, that a Chinese invasion or blockade force would deploy. Where the Hsiung Feng II is subsonic, the Hsiung Feng III is ramjet-powered and flies at around Mach 3, sea-skimming toward its target to compress the defender's reaction time to seconds. Its baseline range is on the order of 150 km, with an extended-range variant reported to reach 400 km or more, and it is fielded on Taiwan's frigates, fast missile boats and mobile coastal-defence launchers. Its speed and kinetic energy are intended to defeat the layered defences of a major surface combatant. For an analyst, the Hsiung Feng III is the sharp tip of Taiwan's anti-ship deterrent. Paired with the more numerous HF-2, it forces a Chinese amphibious or blockade fleet to contend with both supersonic and subsonic threats from concealed, mobile launchers across the narrow strait. It is a centrepiece of the asymmetric, denial-focused defence that Taiwan and its supporters increasingly favour over expensive symmetrical platforms.
Deployment Map
Home ports from known hull assignments. Operating areas reflect typical AORs — individual deployments will vary.
Timeline
Specifications
Doctrine & Employment
Role
Indigenous supersonic anti-ship missile to strike major warships, including carriers — the sharp tip of Taiwan's sea denial.
Design Philosophy
Speed and kinetic energy to defeat the defences of high-value ships.
Employment
Mach-3 sea-skimming attack from ships and concealed coastal launchers, paired with the numerous HF-2.
Threat Context
Centrepiece of Taiwan's asymmetric anti-ship deterrent against an invasion or blockade fleet.
How to Compare
Read with the subsonic HF-2 and against China's YJ-12 and the BrahMos.
Operational Patterns
Typical Deployment
High-speed anti-ship strikes against major surface combatants from ships and concealed coastal launchers.
Typical Task Group
ROC Navy combatants and mobile coastal-defence groups; paired with the HF-2.
Readiness
Fielded; extended-range variant in service.
Key Operating Areas
Peer Comparison Matrix
The HF-2 provides numerous subsonic volume; the HF-3 adds supersonic speed against high-value ships.
Video angle: Taiwan's anti-ship one-two punch.
Both are supersonic anti-ship missiles; the HF-3 is Taiwan's answer aimed at the PLAN fleet.
Video angle: Supersonic anti-ship missiles across the strait.
A faster, longer-ranged supersonic cruise missile in the same family of weapons.
Video angle: The world's supersonic anti-ship missiles.
Combat History
An accidental launch of a Hsiung Feng III during an exercise struck a fishing boat, killing a crewman.
A tragic accident that publicly highlighted the missile's lethality and reach.
Known Vulnerabilities
Range (baseline)
The baseline missile is relatively short-ranged.
Context: Limits engagement geometry without the ER variant.
Mitigation: Extended-range variant fielded.
Detectability
Supersonic cruise is detectable before the terminal sea-skim.
Context: Networked fleet defences may engage.
Mitigation: Sea-skimming terminal; mixed HF-2/HF-3 salvos.
Variants
| Variant | Designation | Years | Count | Status | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hsiung Feng III | — | 2011– | — | active | Supersonic ramjet anti-ship missile |
| Hsiung Feng III ER | — | 2020s | — | active | Extended-range variant (~400+ km) |
Modernization Programmes
Extended range & coastal dispersal
Longer-range variant and mobile coastal deployment.
Impact: Extends the supersonic anti-ship threat further into the strait.
Images
Frequently Asked
When was the first Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile commissioned?
The first Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile entered service in 2011.
Who builds the Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile?
The Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile is built by National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).
What variants of the Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile exist?
Known variants include: Hsiung Feng III, Hsiung Feng III ER.
Curated Research
recommended
Asymmetric defence context
reference
Specs and variants
Watch Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile in Action
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