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Taiwan
ChinaPolitics

Taiwan to get 50 air-to-ground missiles from US to boost fighter jet capabilities

  • Raytheon Missiles & Defence was awarded US$68 million contract to build and supply the missiles by 2028, defence department says
  • It’s part of an arms sale package approved by the Trump administration in 2017 aimed at helping Taiwan deter an attack from the PLA

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The missiles can be launched from Taiwan’s US-made F-16V fighter jets. Photo: Daniel Ceng Shou-yi / ZUMA Press Wire / dpa
Lawrence Chungin Taipei
Taiwan will take delivery of 50 air-to-ground missiles from the United States by 2028 as it seeks to boost the combat capabilities of its F-16V fighter jets and deter an attack from across the strait.
It is the first weapons supply contract announced by the Pentagon since William Lai Ching-te, the independence-leaning vice-president, was elected as Taiwan’s new leader last month, and it is expected to provoke Beijing.

Raytheon Missiles & Defence (RMD) has been awarded the US$68 million contract to produce and deliver to Taiwan 50 AGM-154 joint stand-off weapon air-to-ground missiles (AGM-154 Block III C JSOW), the US Department of Defence said in a statement.

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It said Arizona-based RMD – a unit of US aerospace and defence conglomerate RTX Corporation – is expected to supply the missiles to Taiwan in four years, with most of the production to be done in Tucson, Arizona.

The contract is part of an arms sale package approved by the Donald Trump administration in June 2017 to help the self-ruled island strengthen its deterrence capabilities in the face of Beijing’s increasing military intimidation.

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Taiwan simulates attack from mainland China as island’s military conscripts begin extended service

Taiwan simulates attack from mainland China as island’s military conscripts begin extended service
Beijing has in recent years ramped up pressure on Taiwan, which it views as part of its territory to be reunited – by force if necessary. The People’s Liberation Army has intensified military activities near the island and Beijing has sought to isolate Taipei by poaching its diplomatic allies since Tsai Ing-wen, of the Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle.
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