Taiwan Purchases 400 Land-Based Harpoon Missiles From The United States To Anticipate Chinese Invasion

Illustration of the Harpoon missile belonging to Denmark. (Wikimedia Commons/Marinens Bibliotek Arkiv)

JAKARTA - Taiwan is reportedly planning to buy around 400 land-based Harpoon missiles, in anticipation of a potential Chinese invasion, completing a deal approved by Congress in 2020, according to those familiar with it.

Previously, Taiwan had purchased the ship-based Harpoon made by Boeing Co. Meanwhile, the current contract was issued on behalf of Taiwan by the US Naval Systems Command, marking a first for a land-launched version of the missile, according to Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council.

Three other people familiar with the deal, including an industry official, confirmed the contract was for Taiwan.

The Pentagon announced a $1.7 billion contract with Boeing on April 7, but did not name Taiwan as the buyer. The deal comes at a time when US-China tensions are running high, especially over Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory.

China itself is holding military drills around Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California this month.

Danish Harpoon missile illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Marinens Biblioteks Arkiv)

This procurement contract was preceded in March 2022 by a $498 million contract to Boeing, specifically for Taiwan which ordered Harpoon 'Coastal Defense Systems' launch equipment such as mobile carriers, radars, and training equipment.

Meanwhile, US Department of Defense spokesman Army Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners declined to say whether Taiwan would be a recipient of the Harpoon missiles, but said "we will continue to work with industry to provide Taiwan with defense equipment in a timely manner."

"The United States' provision of defense needs to Taiwan, which includes sustaining existing capabilities through Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales, is critical to Taiwan's security," Meiners said.

It is known that the ground-launched Harpoon missile used for coastal defense, featured prominently in a series of war simulations of China's potential invasion of Taiwan, conducted last year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Because of its mobility and ability to cover the entire strait, this missile is very effective against the Chinese invasion force," said analyst Mark Cancian who managed the simulation.

"They also reduce the need to keep US troops on the island. However, 400 is barely enough. The Taiwanese need a lot more," he said.