Taiwan moves forward with Harpoon Coastal Defense System acquisition

Taiwan is moving forward with the acquisition of coastal missile batteries equipped with Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case.

Boeing was awarded a USD220 million contract by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 28 September, with FMS customer funds of USD107.8 million obligated at the time of award.

In June this year, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced that it had signed a contract with the US government for the acquisition of multiple Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS) assets as part of wider efforts to step up its anti-invasion defences. The HCDS integrates the Boeing RGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles with mobile launcher/transporter units, radar units, and battery support equipment. According to the MND, the shore-based Harpoon anti-ship missile batteries will represent “key asymmetric combat power for defence operations”.

NAVAIR's Precision Strike Weapons Program Office is managing the FMS case. The 28 September contract provides non-recurring engineering in support of configuration efforts for the HCDS to include the Harpoon Block II Update Grade B Canister Launch All Up Round Missiles, the HCDS launch system, and Harpoon weapon station test and production equipment.