Taiwan will buy 400 U.S. Harpoon surface-to-ship missiles to repel a possible Chinese maritime attack and thus complete a deal already approved by the U.S. Congress in 2020, according to sources cited by Bloomberg news agency.
The island already has in its arsenal the ship-launched version of the Harpoon manufactured by Boeing. Now comes a Boeing contract signed with the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command for the acquisition of the land-launched, mobile-capable version, explained U.S.-Taiwan Business Council Chairman Rupert Hammond-Chambers, who revealed that the contract was presented by Boeing on behalf of Taipei.
The Pentagon released a contract with Boeing on April 7 for $1.7 billion (about €1.555 billion), but does not mention that the buyer was Taiwan.
»These missiles are very effective against a Chinese invasion force because of their mobility and their ability to reach the entire strait,» noted analyst Mark Cancian. »They also reduce the need to station U.S. forces on the island. However, 400 is nowhere near the number that would be sufficient. The Taiwanese need many more,» he warned.
This information was published just days after controversial Chinese military maneuvers simulating an encirclement of Taiwan and the launching of cruise missiles and other projectiles from land and sea against Taiwanese territory.
U.S. Congressmen like Michael McCaul had already spoken out about this contract, part of a larger $19 billion package of sales to Taiwan that includes F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, MK-48 torpedoes, M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and Stinger missiles.
200 US MILITARY ADVISORS IN TAIWAN On Monday, the official Taiwanese news agency (CNA) reported, citing Taiwanese military sources, that there are some 200 military advisors at bases throughout the country.
These advisors are stationed mainly in infantry camps and reservist brigades to study Taiwanese military protocols and give practical advice on training methods.
The reports from the U.S. advisors will be used to improve training when military service is extended next year to a year’s duration, the sources said.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
