Exclusive: First five U.S. Harpoon anti-ship missile systems arrive in Taiwan to counter China naval threats.

According to information published by the Focus Taiwan website, on June 28, 2025, Taiwan received the first shipment of U.S.-supplied Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS), marking a significant development in the island's defensive capabilities amid escalating cross-strait tensions. This initial delivery includes five mobile missile launcher vehicles and one radar truck. While the exact date of arrival has not been disclosed, Taiwan's Navy has begun a dedicated training program to ensure the proper integration, deployment, and operation of the newly acquired systems.
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The Harpoon Coastal Defense System is a mobile land based missile platform designed to launch Harpoon Block II anti ship missiles providing coastal forces with a rapid and precise response against enemy naval threats. (Picture source: Open source)

This milestone delivery is part of a $2.37 billion Foreign Military Sale deal approved in October 2020 by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The full package comprises 100 Harpoon launcher vehicles, up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II surface-launched anti-ship missiles, and four RTM-84L-4 training variants. These systems are specifically designed to enhance Taiwan’s ability to defend its coastal regions from maritime incursions and to deter potential amphibious operations by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The complete delivery is scheduled for finalization by 2028.

The Harpoon Coastal Defense System is a land-based adaptation of Boeing’s proven anti-ship missile, configured for deployment on heavy-duty tactical vehicles that provide strategic mobility and concealment. This mobility enables rapid redeployment across Taiwan’s coastline, complicating adversary targeting efforts and ensuring survivability in contested environments. The integrated radar vehicle offers target acquisition and fire-control capabilities, allowing for real-time engagement of hostile vessels without relying on external sensor networks.

The RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II missile features GPS-assisted inertial navigation, an active radar seeker, and a sea-skimming profile designed to penetrate modern ship defenses. It carries a 221 kg high-explosive warhead and has a range of up to 124 kilometers, enabling Taiwan to engage enemy naval assets far from shore. This version is optimized for use in cluttered coastal and littoral zones, where precision and reaction time are crucial.

According to defense analysts, the delivery of these missile systems reflects a growing emphasis on asymmetric defense by the Taiwanese military. Rather than attempting to match the size and scale of adversary forces, Taiwan is focusing on mobility, survivability, and precision strike capabilities. The Harpoon systems, in combination with other mobile anti-ship and air defense platforms, form the cornerstone of a layered defense strategy aimed at denying enemy access and sea control.

The strategic importance of the Harpoon Coastal Defense System cannot be overstated in light of China’s increasingly aggressive posture. Regular PLAN drills near Taiwan, gray zone naval activity, and Beijing’s continued assertion of sovereignty over the island have elevated the need for Taiwan to adopt a flexible, modern, and survivable coastal defense architecture. With these mobile launchers in place, Taiwan can not only monitor and defend its maritime boundaries more effectively but also present a credible threat to enemy fleets operating within range.

Delivery of the remaining systems under the 2020 agreement will continue over the next three years, reinforcing Taiwan’s coastal defense posture with each subsequent deployment. As the strategic environment in the Taiwan Strait remains volatile, the introduction of these advanced missile systems significantly strengthens Taiwan’s deterrent capability. The U.S., under the Taiwan Relations Act, remains firmly committed to supporting Taipei’s self-defense. This delivery underscores Washington’s enduring role in preserving the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and enhancing regional stability in the face of growing security challenges.