The Ministry of National Defense plans to increase the production of anti-ship missiles from this year to 2025 to bolster the nation’s maritime defenses, an official said yesterday.

The extended-range variant of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile is entering mass production this year, while the production volume of the Hsiung Feng II and the base model of the Hsiung Feng III is to be ramped up, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The estimated cost for the missiles this year is NT$15.5 billion (US$497.83 million), rising to NT$19.8 billion next year before peaking at NT$22 billion in 2025, they said.