The first of 100 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems, ordered by Taiwan from the United States, arrived in Kaohsiung on Friday, according to local reports.
The delivery, which took place at Kaohsiung Port, is part of a broader $2.24 billion defense deal approved by the U.S. in 2020.
This deal includes the sale of 400 RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II missiles, four maneuver missiles, 100 launcher transporter units, and 25 radar trucks. The full package is expected to be delivered by 2028, with the first phase to be completed by 2026.
The Ministry of National Defense had initially allocated NT$71.02 billion (approximately US$2.24 billion) for the deal. However, an additional NT$15 billion (around US$470 million) was required to build the necessary infrastructure for the new missile systems. Six bases, to be managed by a new Coastal Defense Command launching in 2026, will host the shore-mounted Harpoon missiles alongside Taiwan’s domestically-produced Hsiung Feng missile systems.
The Harpoon Block II missiles are a vital component of Taiwan’s defense strategy, aimed at deterring naval threats, particularly from China. These missiles offer a range of over 124 kilometers and are capable of engaging a variety of naval targets with precision guidance. The Harpoon system, long regarded as a reliable anti-ship weapon, will significantly boost Taiwan’s ability to defend its coastline against potential incursions.
The missile systems’ strategic importance lies in their ability to target enemy vessels from land, providing Taiwan with a critical anti-ship defense layer. The addition of the Harpoon systems also highlights Taiwan’s increasing focus on asymmetric warfare capabilities, a strategy aimed at countering a numerically superior adversary with advanced, mobile, and precise weapons.
The U.S. has been a key defense partner for Taiwan, providing the island nation with critical military hardware and technology to bolster its defense against potential threats. The sale of Harpoon missile systems is part of a broader U.S. strategy to ensure Taiwan’s defense capabilities remain robust in the event of conflict.
By 2028, Taiwan’s missile defense network will be significantly enhanced, with the full deployment of the Harpoon Block II systems. The systems will complement Taiwan’s existing missile defense infrastructure, which includes the Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile, further enhancing Taiwan’s deterrence capabilities.