TAIPEI: Taiwan will buy as many as 400 ground-launched Harpoon missiles it intended to repel a potential Chinese invasion, completing a deal that Congress approved in 2020, according to the leader of a trade group and people familiar with the matter.
Taiwan has previously purchased ship-launched versions of the Harpoon, manufactured by Boeing Co. Now, a contract with Boeing issued on behalf of Taiwan by the US Naval Air Systems Command marks the first for the mobile, land-launched version, according to Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council. Three other people familiar with the deal, including an industry official, confirmed that the deal is for Taiwan.
The Pentagon announced the $1.7 billion contract with Boeing on April 7, but made no mention of Taiwan as the buyer. The deal comes as US-China tensions run high, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governed island that China claims as part of its territory. China has held military exercises around Taiwan after its president met this month in California with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Army Lt. Col. Martin Meiners, a Defense Department spokesman, declined to say whether Taiwan will be the recipient of the Harpoon missiles but said that “we will continue to work with the industry to provide Taiwan’s defense equipment in a timely manner.
“The United States’ supply of defense items to Taiwan, which includes supporting existing capabilities through foreign military sales and direct commercial sales, is essential to Taiwan’s security,” Meiners said.
Beijing criticized the deal on Tuesday, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin saying at a regular press conference that it “would undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests.”
The United States should “stop trying to change the status quo” in the strait, he said. Wang added that China would take “strong and resolute measures” to defend itself, without specifying what that would entail.
Taiwan Defense Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said at a briefing in Taipei that he would not comment on details of the sale. Taiwan was confident it could be completed on schedule, he said.
The Harpoon contract has been cited by members of Congress, including Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as part of as much as $19 billion in “backlog” US sales to Taiwan that they say must be accelerated. In addition to the Harpoon, the list includes the F-16 Block 70 fighter, the MK-48 torpedo, the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer and the Sting missile.
The backlog and sale of Harpoon will likely be discussed Tuesday at a House Armed Services Committee hearing focused on the Indo-Pacific.
Ground-launched Harpoon missiles used for coastal defense featured prominently in a series of tabletop war games about a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan conducted last year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“Because of their mobility and ability to reach the entire strait, these missiles have been very effective against Chinese invasion forces,” said analyst Mark Cancian who ran the exercises. “They also reduced the need for US forces to be stationed on the island. However, 400 is not enough. Taiwanese people need many more.”
The $1.7 billion weapons contract was preceded in March 2022 by a $498 million Taiwan-specific contract with Boeing that ordered Harpoon “Coastal Defense System” launch equipment such as mobile transporters, radar and training.
Taiwan has previously purchased ship-launched versions of the Harpoon, manufactured by Boeing Co. Now, a contract with Boeing issued on behalf of Taiwan by the US Naval Air Systems Command marks the first for the mobile, land-launched version, according to Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council. Three other people familiar with the deal, including an industry official, confirmed that the deal is for Taiwan.
The Pentagon announced the $1.7 billion contract with Boeing on April 7, but made no mention of Taiwan as the buyer. The deal comes as US-China tensions run high, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governed island that China claims as part of its territory. China has held military exercises around Taiwan after its president met this month in California with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Army Lt. Col. Martin Meiners, a Defense Department spokesman, declined to say whether Taiwan will be the recipient of the Harpoon missiles but said that “we will continue to work with the industry to provide Taiwan’s defense equipment in a timely manner.
“The United States’ supply of defense items to Taiwan, which includes supporting existing capabilities through foreign military sales and direct commercial sales, is essential to Taiwan’s security,” Meiners said.
Beijing criticized the deal on Tuesday, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin saying at a regular press conference that it “would undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests.”
The United States should “stop trying to change the status quo” in the strait, he said. Wang added that China would take “strong and resolute measures” to defend itself, without specifying what that would entail.
Taiwan Defense Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said at a briefing in Taipei that he would not comment on details of the sale. Taiwan was confident it could be completed on schedule, he said.
The Harpoon contract has been cited by members of Congress, including Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as part of as much as $19 billion in “backlog” US sales to Taiwan that they say must be accelerated. In addition to the Harpoon, the list includes the F-16 Block 70 fighter, the MK-48 torpedo, the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer and the Sting missile.
The backlog and sale of Harpoon will likely be discussed Tuesday at a House Armed Services Committee hearing focused on the Indo-Pacific.
Ground-launched Harpoon missiles used for coastal defense featured prominently in a series of tabletop war games about a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan conducted last year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“Because of their mobility and ability to reach the entire strait, these missiles have been very effective against Chinese invasion forces,” said analyst Mark Cancian who ran the exercises. “They also reduced the need for US forces to be stationed on the island. However, 400 is not enough. Taiwanese people need many more.”
The $1.7 billion weapons contract was preceded in March 2022 by a $498 million Taiwan-specific contract with Boeing that ordered Harpoon “Coastal Defense System” launch equipment such as mobile transporters, radar and training.
