Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile Systems Arrive in Taiwan to Strengthen Coastal Defense Capabilities.

The first batch of land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems, ordered from the United States, has arrived in Kaohsiung, marking a significant step in strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities. On September 27, 2024, the equipment was unloaded at the port of Kaohsiung, though details regarding the specific nature of the delivered systems remain unknown for now, as reported by Liberty Times. This delivery is part of a contract signed in 2020 with the United States, which includes a total of 100 Harpoon systems, 400 Block II missiles, as well as transport vehicles and radar trucks.

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U.S. Marines conduct a loading exercise of AGM-84D Harpoon missiles aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni Japan, April 28, 2020 (Picture source: US DoD)

The RGM-84L-4 Block II is an advanced version of the Harpoon anti-ship missile, produced by Boeing. Introduced in the early 2000s, this variant features improved guidance systems, optimized GPS, and enhanced target discrimination, providing better performance in both coastal and open-sea environments. The Block II version is designed to engage a wide range of surface targets, including ships and land-based threats, with a range exceeding 124 km. Its development has made it one of the most reliable and versatile anti-ship missiles in service today.

The first phase of this extensive project involves the delivery of 32 systems and 128 missiles by the end of 2026, while the second phase, scheduled for completion by 2028, will include all 100 systems and 400 missiles. The contract, valued at NT$71.02 billion (US$2.24 billion), represents a significant investment in Taiwan's coastal defense. An additional NT$15 billion has been allocated for the construction of infrastructure needed to house the missile systems.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense plans to establish a new coastal defense command by 2026, which will oversee six bases across the island, housing not only Harpoon missiles but also domestically-produced Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles. These bases will play a key role in Taiwan's maritime defense strategy, with the goal of creating an integrated network capable of responding to potential threats in the Taiwan Strait.

USS Coronado (LCS 4), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, launches the first over-the-horizon missile engagement using a Harpoon Block 1C missile (Picture source: US DoD)

The Harpoon missiles ordered by Taiwan are the RGM-84L-4 Block II(U) variant, an upgraded version compared to those currently in service with the U.S. military, offering extended range. Although some militaries, such as those in the U.S. and Australia, are gradually replacing the Harpoon with newer missiles like the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), the Harpoon remains a proven and reliable option due to its combat history. Taiwanese military officials believe the version acquired will effectively meet the country's defense needs against maritime threats.

Simultaneously, Taiwan is establishing a dedicated maintenance center for its coastal defense missiles, including the American-made Harpoon and the domestically-produced Hsiung Feng. This maintenance capability strengthens Taiwan's defensive posture and ensures that the island will maintain a high level of operational readiness in the face of potential maritime conflict scenarios.

The arrival of these systems, along with the construction of a dedicated base network, reflects Taiwan's commitment to modernizing its military capabilities and preparing for contingencies in an increasingly tense regional environment.

Overview of the internal configuration of the Harpoon anti-ship missile (Picture source: Boeing Defense)