The U.S. State Department has decided to approve a possible sale of up to 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS) and related equipment to Taiwan. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the decision on Monday (October 26). Just a few days ago, the U.S. administration approved three additional options for possible arms sales to Taiwan. China’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it would impose sanctions on U.S. companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed “heartfelt gratitude” for the U.S. decision to sell arms to Taiwan.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the 100 Harpoon coastal defense systems requested by Taiwan include up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon second lot shore-launched missiles and four RTM-84L-4 Harpoon second lot missiles. “Harpoon missiles for the second Harpoon exercise, as well as 411 containers, 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense System launcher carriers, 25 radar trucks, support and test equipment, publications and technical literature, personnel training and training equipment, etc. The total cost of the program is estimated at $2.37 billion. The total price of the arms sale is estimated at $2.37 billion.
Last Wednesday, October 21, the U.S. Administration informed Congress that it had approved three possible arms sales to Taiwan. One lot of weapons includes 11 M142 Highly Mobile Rocket Launcher Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment, with an estimated value of $436.1 million. Another lot includes 135 AGM-84H extended range extraterritorial surface-to-air missiles and related equipment, estimated to be worth over $1 billion. The third lot includes six MS-110 reconnaissance pods and related equipment, estimated to be worth $367.2 million.
The DSCA said the proposed arms sale is consistent with U.S. law and policy and supports the recipient’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a “credible defense capability,” thereby benefiting U.S. national, economic, and security interests.
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Beijing has decided to impose sanctions on U.S. companies involved in the arms sale to Taiwan, including U.S. military manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, aircraft manufacturer Boeing, and U.S. individuals and entities that “played a pernicious role” in the arms sale to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that it had received official notification from the U.S. government that day, and expressed “sincere welcome” and “heartfelt gratitude.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry statement said that this is the ninth time during President Trump’s term and the fourth time this year that he has sold arms to Taiwan, which “fully demonstrates the great importance that the U.S. government attaches to Taiwan’s defense needs, and has gradually implemented a normalized mechanism for arms sales to Taiwan so that our country can immediately acquire the equipment needed for defense and effectively enhance its deterrence capabilities.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, “In the face of China’s military expansion and provocations, Taiwan will continue to strengthen the modernization of its defense capabilities and accelerate the enhancement of its asymmetric warfare capabilities in order to maintain regional peace and stability.”
The U.S.-Taiwan Business Association issued a statement Monday welcoming the approval of a fourth arms sale to Taiwan. President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said, “Equipped with the proven and trusted Harpoon missile, these land-based mobile shore defense firepower add to Taiwan’s existing anti-ship defenses and significantly enhance deterrence capabilities. Substantial expansion of Taiwan’s shore defense cruise missile arsenal, which includes the indigenously designed and built Hsiung Feng II/III, is a welcome development.”
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