US To Repair Taiwan’s Patriot Missiles Amidst Growing Chinese Threat

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of Recertification of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles for an estimated cost of $620 million.

TECRO represents the Taipei government in the US. The proposed sale comes amidst growing Chinese military air and naval activity near Taiwan and threats to ‘unify’ the island by force. The PAC-3 missiles are effective against medium range threats including missiles and aircraft.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

TECRO has requested to buy Recertification of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles, including the replacement of expiring Limited Life Components (LLCs) and certification testing in order to support an operational life of thirty years; Test and repair of PAC-3 missiles, including Stockpile Reliability Testing (SRT) and Field Returns; Repair and Return (R&R) of classified and unclassified PAC-3 missile items and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) component level parts; replenishment of classified and unclassified missile spares and GSE spares.

This proposed sale will help sustain the recipient's missile density and ensure readiness for air operations.  The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense.  The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Camden, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.