US approves potential FMS to Taiwan of Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and missiles

On the same day that China announced sanctions against several US companies selling weapons to Taiwan, the US State Department approved another potential multibillion-dollar Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the island aimed at improving its capabilities to “counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades, and amphibious assaults”.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 26 October the approval of a USD2.37 billion sale to Taiwan of up to 100 Boeing Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDSs) and up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II medium-range, surface-launched, anti-ship missiles along with related equipment and support.

The DSCA stated that as part of the proposed deal, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) – Taiwan’s principal representative office in the country – had also requested four RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II exercise missiles, 411 containers, 100 HCDS launcher transporter units, 25 radar trucks, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

A Harpoon missile in flight. The DSCA announced on 26 October that the US State Department approved a potential USD2.37 billion FMS to Taiwan of up to 100 Boeing HCDSs and up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles along with related equipment and support. (Boeing)

The agency said that the potential sale, which still needs to be approved by the US Congress, would improve Taiwan’s capability “to meet current and future threats by providing a flexible solution to augment existing surface and air defences”. It also stated that the acquisition of the HCDSs and related missiles would improve Taiwanese security and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.