Taiwan plans major defense purchases for 2024 including Harpoon missiles and F-16 upgrades.

According to information published by Liberty Times on August 25, 2024, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense will allocate a budget of more than NT$467.4 billion for various defense expenditures, with NT$145.8 billion specifically earmarked for "military investments" that cover research, development, and procurement. This marks an increase of NT$20.3 billion compared to the current fiscal year's approved budget.
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US Navy's Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Coronado launching Harpoon Block 1C missile. (Picture source: Dvids)

The upcoming fiscal year is expected to reach a peak in payments for both domestic and U.S. military purchases, with nine major procurement projects requiring over NT$80 billion in funding. A significant portion of this will go towards land-based Harpoon anti-ship missiles, with an allocated budget exceeding NT$20.6 billion.

The Executive Yuan announced last week that the total central government budget for the next fiscal year, managed by the Ministry of National Defense, will include NT$145.8 billion for military procurement, a notable increase from last year's figures.

Hsieh Chi-hsien, the Ministry of National Defense's Director of Budget, explained at a press conference that nearly NT$7 billion of the military investment budget will be directed towards new construction projects, while the remainder will cover ongoing payments for existing projects. He noted that these years mark a peak period for such payments.

Reviewing the Ministry of National Defense's current budget documents reveals multiple multi-year, large-scale procurement projects. Notably, NT$20.67 billion is allocated for 100 sets and 400 rounds of land-based Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

These missiles, which have a range exceeding 148 kilometers, are intended to enhance the Navy's "land-based sea control" capabilities. The total budget for this precision ammunition from 2021 to 2030 amounts to over NT$86.6 billion, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026, coinciding with the establishment of the Navy's Littoral Combat Command.

Additional allocations for 2024 include NT$15.5 billion for the continuation of the F-16V Block 20 upgrade project, known as the "Phoenix Rising Project," which includes new reconnaissance pods and the procurement of long-range weapons.

To enhance its missile defense and air defense capabilities, Taiwan has also increased its purchase of Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles from the United States, with deliveries expected over the next two years. The budget for this acquisition in 2024 is set at NT$5.85 billion. Moreover, the budget includes NT$6.83 billion for four MQ-9B drones, which are expected to be delivered starting in 2025.