Taipei, Aug. 3 -- With the growing Chinese incursions and maritime operations near its territory, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence (MND) has announced that mass production of the Tien Kung IV (Sky Bow IV) surface-to-air missiles will begin next year, with a total of 122 missile pods slated for procurement, the Taipei Times reported on Sunday.

According to the Taipei Times, citing the latest Taiwanese military equipment list, 46 pods are expected to be delivered in the first year, followed by 76 in the second.

Designed to intercept both cruise and ballistic missiles at altitudes up to 70 kilometres, the Tien Kung IV outperforms the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement systems, which have a maximum range of 60 kilometres.

A defenc...