In a move that is sure to excite China even more, the U.S. State Department on Friday approved the sale of 100 Sidewinder AIM9X Block II missiles and 60 AGM84L1 Harpoon Block II missiles to Taiwan.
The proposed $85.6 million sale of the Sidewinder missiles “will enhance Taiwan’s ability to counter or deter aggression by demonstrating precision against air targets.” The Harpoon missiles, which cost $355 million, will help combat or prevent maritime aggression, coastal blockades and amphibious assaults,” the Defense and Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said of the two approvals.
A soldier inspects a payload of an AIM9 Sidewinder airtoair missile near the Harpoon A84 antiship missile on an F16V fighter jet at Hualien Air Force Base in Hualien County, southeast Taiwan, August 2022. ( Photo: AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
Taiwan has been the subject of ongoing Chinese intimidation in the form of overflights and warship navigation near the island nation. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) last month held an exercise with the three armed forces to simulate the landing of soldiers on the island in a bid to achieve “unification” (Chinese term for a military takeover of the island of Taiwan).
The Sidewinder missiles are designed to fit Taiwan’s fighter jets, including current F16 jets as well as the latest F16V fighter jets on order. Harpoons are designed to be launched from both air and sea platforms.
The acquisition of the two potent missile types will cause concern for the Chinese PLA, as they are considered by experts to be better than competing missiles in the PLA’s inventory.
Taiwan has exercised caution in countering Chinese intimidation. However, earlier this week it fired at a suspected Chinese drone after it issued an alert indicating a tougher stance by the Taipei government.
While the Harpoon Missies are made by Boeing, the Sidewinders are made by Raytheon.