U.S. Considers Arms Delivery to Taiwan

It is reported on October 2nd that Washington is evaluating transfer of weapons systems requested by Taiwan, according to a copy of Department of Defense (DOD) report to be submitted to lawmakers. Asked whether the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile would be among the weapons systems, DOD refused to comment, but said that it would not rule out announcing the specific details later this year.

High-priority military investments for DOD procurement include submarines, next-generation light frigates, rescue ships, advanced trainer jet and infantry fighting vehicles, the report said. Planned deals include F-16A and F-16B jet performance upgrades, navigation and targeting pods, precision-guided munitions, the High Mobility Rocket System (known as HIMARS), Harpoon coastal defense missile systems and MQ-9B drones.

Last year, DOD told Chinese-language media that it expressed interest in the US-made AGM-158 missile, which can be launched from a jet with a range of 370 kilometers.

Su Tzu-yun, a research analyst at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told the press that U.S. probably had concerns about the transfer of the long-range weapons which could provoke the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); however, the CCP’s increasingly mature aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships pose a growing security threat, helping Taipei acquire the missile. Warships equipped with Aegis combat system, precision-guided munitions and stealth technologies might become necessary for Taiwan’s defense, and the DOD should consider making a request.o.