Taiwan's secretive HF-2E missile has been shown in photos for the first time - it can strike deep into China at a range of up to 1,500 kilometres

Taiwan demonstrates by example how a long-range cruise missile can be built and kept secret for more than a decade. It's called the HF-2E and it's the first time it's been caught on camera.

Here's What We Know

The truly historic event took place during a military exercise. Taiwanese media claim that it is the HF-2E that is captured in the photo. The cruise missile is a modernisation of the HF-2.

Information about the launch was confirmed by Su Tzu-yun, an official at Taiwan's Institute of National Defence and Security Studies. Central News Agency also wrote about the launch of the secret cruise missile, citing a source in the country's armed forces.

While the HF-2 has a launch range of up to 600 kilometres, the HF-2E is capable of hitting targets up to 1,500 kilometres away. This gives the island nation's armed forces the ability to strike deep into China in the event of a military conflict.

The HF-2E has received an inertial guidance system with GPS. The cruise missile also has a TERCOM function that allows for terrain scanning. In terms of appearance, it resembles the US Tomahawk and AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER missiles.

Taiwan began development of the HF-2E in the early 21st century. Series production was launched later in 2011. The cruise missile has been in service with the Taiwanese army for more than a decade, but only last year the island nation officially confirmed its existence.

Source: CNA, UDN, The War Zone