US approves potential FMS to Taiwan of Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and missiles
On the same day that
China announced sanctions against several US companies selling weapons to Taiwan,
the US State Department
approved another potential multibillion-dollar Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the island
aimed at improving its capabilities to “counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades, and amphibious assaults”
.The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
announced on 26 October the approval of a USD2.37 billion sale to Taiwan of
up to 100 Boeing Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDSs)
and
up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II medium-range, surface-launched, anti-ship missiles along with related equipment and support.
The DSCA stated that
as part of the proposed deal, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO)
– Taiwan’s principal representative office in the country –
had also requested
four RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II exercise missiles,
411 containers,
100 HCDS launcher transporter units,
25 radar trucks, spare and repair parts,
support and test equipment,
publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance,
engineering and
logistics support services, and
other related elements of logistics support