The Trump administration has approved the potential sale of up to 100 Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defence Systems (HCDS) and related equipment to Taiwan in a deal that is estimated to be worth nearly $2.4 billion, the State Department said on Monday.
The department has notified Congress of the proposed sale that includes the HCDS and 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles to serve as coastal defence cruise missiles as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Beijing continues its war posturing toward the democratically-ruled island. It is estimated to cost around $2.37 billion.
.@StateDept authorizes a Foreign Military Sales #FMS case for @TECRO_USA #Taiwan for up to 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and related equipment valued at up to $2.37 billion #FMSUpdate– https://t.co/KRk4rQyNMd pic.twitter.com/jVle0UxBtk
— Political-Military Affairs, US Dept of State (@StateDeptPM) October 26, 2020
The proposed sale will help improve Taiwan’s security and “assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region,” the U.S. Defense Department has said.
It will also improve the region’s capability to “meet current and future threats by providing a flexible solution to augment existing surface and air defenses” through employing “a highly reliable and effective system to counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades, and amphibious assaults.”
“This capability will easily integrate into existing force infrastructure. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces,” the department said.
We welcome @StateDept‘s approval of a US$2.37 billion arms sale to #Taiwan🇹🇼. The determination demonstrates the #US🇺🇸 government’s commitment to the #TaiwanRelationsAct & #SixAssurances. It also enables the country to maintain a robust self-defense, & regional peace & stability. https://t.co/3jYf4xrtz9