Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense signed a deal to procure two weapons systems from the US to boost its defense capabilities. The contracts were signed by Taiwan’s defense mission in the US and the American Institute in Taiwan, the ministry said on its website.
Taiwan’s Ministry announced the deal included “a long-range precision fire system” and “a batch of missiles.” According to CNA, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS) will further help in boosting Taiwan’s warfare capabilities.
Defense experts have said that the systems would significantly boost Taiwan’s asymmetrical warfare capabilities. The long-range precision fire system, to be stationed in Taoyuan, cost NT$9.62 billion (US$346.48 million)
The two arms packages were first announced by the US in October last year. Washington said that the systems would improve Taiwan’s long-range counterstrike capability in the event of being attacked.
The packages, at the time estimated to cost a combined US$436.1 million, were reported to include 11 HIMARS M142 launchers, 64 Army Tactical Missile System M57 Unitary Missiles, seven M1152Al High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, 11 M240B machine guns and 17 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems.
In October last year, the US announced that it would sell Taiwan 100 Harpoon coastal defense systems and related equipment, including 400 Harpoon Block II missiles, 100 launcher transport units and 25 radar trucks, at an estimated cost of US$2.37 billion.
China warns US against trade deal with Taiwan
China has warned the United States against pursuing a trade deal with Taiwan after Washington signalled a possible resumption of economic talks with the self-ruled island.
Zhao Lijian, spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, urged Washington on Tuesday to “stop any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, handle the Taiwan issue cautiously, and refrain from sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces”.
Aayush Pal 
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra