Taiwan’s new US arms can reach mainland China: ‘a first but just a deterrent’
- US$1.8 billion package includes first meaningful offensive systems sold to Taiwan since US switched diplomatic allegiance to Beijing in 1979, observer says
- But the island is still seen as being on the defensive against the threat from the mainland’s military
‘Breakthrough for Taiwan’
The US$1.8 billion package includes 135 AGM-84H cruise missiles with a striking range of more than 270km (168 miles) and 11 truck-based rocket launchers along with 64 tactical missiles that can hit targets 300km (186 miles) away. Also covered are six MS-110 Recce external sensor pods which would greatly increase the air surveillance capability of the island’s forces.
01:22
Taiwan posts video of troops ‘fending off attack from mainland’ amid worsening cross-strait tensions
“This is a breakthrough in US arms sales for Taiwan,” said Mei Fu-hsing, director of the Taiwan Security Analysis Centre, a private think tank in New York, referring to the departure from the US’ traditional policy of selling merely defensive weapons to the island.
“Many people in Taiwan could find the US sale of the truck-based High Mobility Artillery Rocket System along with the Army Tactical Missile System rather impressive – the missile has a warhead of 500 pounds [227kg] and a range of 300km,” he said.
Another highlight of the sale was the AGM-84H cruise missiles, which not only have a relatively long range but are capable of accurately hitting targets from land and sea, Mei said.
‘Primarily for deterrence’
Alexander Huang Chieh-cheng, a professor of international studies and strategic relations at Tamkang University in Taiwan, said Taiwan would be the first US security partner to carry AGM-84H cruise missiles using F-16V fighter jets.