FILE PHOTO: Combat readiness mission at the airbase in Hualien © Thomson Reuters
Bloomberg: Taiwan to Buy 400 US Anti-Ship Missiles Intended to Repel a China Invasion
(Bloomberg) — Taiwan will buy as many as 400 land-launched Harpoon missiles intended to repel a potential Chinese invasion, completing a deal that Congress approved in 2020, according to a trade group’s leader and people familiar with the issue.
Taiwan has previously purchased ship-launched versions of the Harpoon, which is made by Boeing Co. Now, a contract with Boeing issued on Taiwan’s behalf by the US Naval Air Systems Command marks a first for the mobile, land-launched version, 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 is for Taiwan.
The Pentagon announced the $1.7 billion contract with Boeing on April 7 but made no mention of Taiwan as the purchaser. The deal comes as US-China tensions are high, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governed island that China claims as part of its territory. China held military drills around Taiwan after its president met in California this month with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
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Update #1: Taiwan to buy 400 US anti-ship missiles to face China threat -Bloomberg News (Reuters)
Update #2: Taiwan to buy 400 US anti-ship missiles to repel China in major WW3 escalation (Express)
WNU Editor: Expect even more arms sales …. US Arms Industry Planning First Taiwan Trip in Four Years (April 16, 2023).