Munitions

Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) anti-ship missile

Also known as
  • HF-2 Mk 2 anti-ship missile
  • HF-2
  • HF II
  • Hsiung Feng II

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.

Profile / Specs

Specifications

Length
4.9 m
Diameter
0.40 m
Launch weight
695 kg
Range
100-120 km; NCSIST states more than 100 km
Speed
Subsonic; NCSIST states more than Mach 0.8
Guidance
INS/GPS midcourse; active radar and imaging infrared terminal seekers
Warhead
225 kg high-explosive / self-forging fragment warhead
Propulsion
Solid-propellant booster and turbojet
Variants

The public sources distinguish deployed Block I and Block II missiles from air-launched and extended-range development branches.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
HF II Block IBaseline 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 IIImproved 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-2Aircraft-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-2ERExtended-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

Carrier Aircraft

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.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
AIDC AT-3/T-5 Brave Eagle, Advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft family, Aircraft & UAVsAIDC AT-3/T-5 Brave EagleAdvanced 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

Deployment Architecture

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.

Basing modes

Ship, stationary-base, mobile-trailer, coastal-defense, and air-launched basing are documented across NCSIST and CSIS material.

Named naval platforms

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.

Guidance architecture

The missile uses INS/GPS midcourse guidance with active-radar and imaging-infrared terminal seekers, and NCSIST describes waypointed multi-missile attack planning.

Timeline

Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) anti-ship missile Key Events

  1. Development begins

    NCSIST states that HF II development started in 1983.

    Sources: HF II Anti-Ship Missile - NCSIST

  2. Naval deployment

    NCSIST states that HF II deployed to the Republic of China Navy in 1990.

    Sources: HF II Anti-Ship Missile - NCSIST

  3. Air-launched version enters service

    CSIS describes an air-launched Hsiung Feng II version that reportedly entered service in 1996.

    Sources: Hsiung Feng II - Missile Threat

  4. Block II reaches deployment

    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

  5. Sea-Air missile production plan begins

    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

Media

Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) anti-ship missile Videos

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Sources