Taiwan Receives First Shipment of U.S.-Made Harpoon Missile Systems

Tags: International News

The first shipment of 100 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems has arrived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

An Overview of the News

• This delivery is part of a broader deal of 71.02 billion New Taiwan dollars ($2.22 billion) made in 2020.

• Taiwan has allocated an additional 15 billion New Taiwan dollars ($469 million) for constructing related facilities.

• The total investment in this missile system package now stands at 86.02 billion New Taiwan dollars ($2.69 billion).

Delivery and Integration Timeline

• The U.S. approved the sale of 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles and four RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Exercise Missiles.

• The package includes:

  • 411 containers

  • 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense System Launcher Transporter Units

  • 25 radar trucks

  • Spare and repair parts

  • Logistics support, including personnel training and technical assistance

• The first phase of deliveries is expected to be completed by 2026, coinciding with the establishment of Taiwan’s new Littoral Combat Command.

• The second and final phase is anticipated by 2028.

Enhanced Defense Capabilities

• Taiwan plans to integrate the Harpoon missile system with its indigenous Hsiung Feng series missiles to bolster its maritime defense against potential Chinese threats.

• The country is actively renovating and building missile bases to support this initiative.

About the Harpoon Missile

• Design and History: The Harpoon (RGM-84/UGM-84/AGM-84) is a U.S.-designed subsonic anti-ship cruise missile in service since 1977, utilized by over 30 countries, including India.

• Features:

  • All-weather, over-the-horizon anti-ship missile system.

  • Length: 4.5 m; Weight: 526 kg.

  • Propulsion: Turbojet, solid propellant.

  • Capable of executing both land-strike and anti-ship missions.

  • Low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory with active radar guidance.

  • Equipped with a 221 kg penetration blast warhead.

  • GPS-aided inertial navigation for targeting.

• Range: 90-240 km.