Profile
- Origin
- Taiwan
- Type
- Subsonic anti-ship cruise missile
- Service note
- 1980s-present
- Designed
- 1983
Taiwan's Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) is an NCSIST-developed subsonic anti-ship cruise missile family with ship, fixed-site, mobile-trailer, coastal-defense, and air-launched basing documented in official and specialist sources.
The public sources distinguish deployed Block I and Block II missiles from air-launched and extended-range development branches.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| HF II Block I | Baseline deployed naval/coastal missile | NCSIST says two HF II types, Block I and Block II, have been deployed with the Republic of China Navy. Sources: HF II Anti-Ship Missile - NCSIST |
| HF II Block II | Improved deployed missile | NCSIST says the improved Block II finished development and deployed to Kwang Hua 6 fast attack craft in 2007. Sources: HF II Anti-Ship Missile - NCSIST |
| Air-launched HF-2 | Aircraft-carried version | CSIS describes ship-, ground-, and air-launched basing and reports an air-launched version entering service in 1996. Sources: Hsiung Feng II - Missile Threat |
| HF-2ER | Extended-range variant | CSIS lists an HF-2ER extended-range figure of 250 km while noting that an extended-range variant is in development. Sources: Hsiung Feng II - Missile Threat |
AIDC's XA-3 attacker page documents HF-2 launch testing from the AT-3-derived single-seat attack prototype, while specialist references also list the AT-3/HF-2 Mk 2 carriage connection.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
![]() | Advanced jet trainer / light strike aircraft | AIDC says the XA-3 attacker, a single-seat aircraft modified from the AT-3 for attack missions, successfully launched HF-2 missiles. Sources: XA-3 Attacker - AIDC |
NCSIST describes HF II as a sea-skimming anti-ship missile tied to target-acquisition and command-control systems rather than a single launcher type. Its public status list covers major Republic of China Navy surface combatants, fast attack craft, stationary bases, and mobile systems.
Ship, stationary-base, mobile-trailer, coastal-defense, and air-launched basing are documented across NCSIST and CSIS material.
NCSIST lists Cheng Kung-class frigates, Kang Ding/La Fayette frigates, Jin Chiang patrol gunboats, Kwang Hua 6 fast attack craft, and Hsun Hai fast attack craft among deployed HF II platforms.
The missile uses INS/GPS midcourse guidance with active-radar and imaging-infrared terminal seekers, and NCSIST describes waypointed multi-missile attack planning.
NCSIST states that HF II development started in 1983.
Sources: HF II Anti-Ship Missile - NCSIST
NCSIST states that HF II deployed to the Republic of China Navy in 1990.
Sources: HF II Anti-Ship Missile - NCSIST
CSIS describes an air-launched Hsiung Feng II version that reportedly entered service in 1996.
Sources: Hsiung Feng II - Missile Threat
NCSIST says HF II Block II finished development and deployed to Kwang Hua 6 fast attack craft in 2007.
Sources: HF II Anti-Ship Missile - NCSIST
Taiwan's 2025 National Defense Report says the 2022-2026 Sea-Air Combat Power Improvement Plan includes mass production of Hsiung Feng II missiles and acquisition of mobile launchers for Hsiung Feng II and III missiles.
Sources: ROC National Defense Report 2025







