Taiwan to Order Harpoon Missile Launchers for $498M

The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing $498 million to deliver Harpoon missile launchers to Taiwan.

This order provides for the production and delivery of the Harpoon Coastal Defense System Launch System (HCDS) in support of the government of Taiwan, specifically 100 Launcher Transporter Units, 25 Radar Units, and HCDS training equipment, a U.S. DoD release today said.

Work is expected to be completed in December 2028.

Over 300 Harpoon missiles have been sold to the Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan) for its F-16 A/B Block 20 fleet and the Taiwanese Navy, which operates four guided-missile destroyers and eight guided-missile frigates with the capability of carrying the Harpoon, including the eight former U.S. Navy Knox-class frigates and the four former USN Kidd-class destroyers which have been sold to Taiwan. The two Zwaardvis/Hai Lung submarines and 12 P-3C Orion aircraft can also use the missile. The eight Cheng Kung-class frigates, despite being based on the U.S. Oliver Hazard Perry class, have Harpoon capabilities deleted from their combat systems, and funding to restore it has so far been denied. Taiwan has now decided to switch to the Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III.

Taiwan Fears Chinese Invasion

Talking about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen said democratic countries must not "turn a blind eye to military aggression.”

She warned that her island faces threats similar to those confronted by Ukraine at a meeting with a delegation of former senior U.S. security officials appointed by President Joe Biden. The officials led by the one-time chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mike Mullen, arrived in Taipei March 1.  This visit comes at a time when Taiwan has stepped up its alert level.

Just weeks before Ukraine’s invasion, Moscow signed a joint statement with China agreeing to a host of foreign policy goals, including Taiwan being "an inalienable part" of the mainland.

Taiwan is watching the Ukraine crisis closely, as it lives under constant threat of a Chinese invasion, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over the island and threatening to seize it one day - by force if necessary.

Even former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Taiwan may be the "next" for a potential invasion. “Taiwan is going to be next. Just watch Taiwan; President Xi is watching with glee," he was quoted as saying by reports.

"The Ukrainian people's commitment to protect their freedom and democracy, and their fearless dedication to defending their country have been met with deep empathy from the people of Taiwan, as we too stand on the frontlines of the battle for democracy,” Tsai said. "Facing threats to the security of the Taiwan Strait and the region, we look forward to working even more closely with the U.S. and other stakeholders in the region.”

“The will of the Chinese people to defend our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is immovable. Whoever United States sends to show support for Taiwan is bound to fail,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said of the visit.