Taiwan To Enhance Its Missile Arsenal With AGM-158 JASSM
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence confirmed signing the deal for long-range air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles worth approximately $500 million with the US. The details of this contract have not been unveiled, however, it is very likely that Taiwan has procured AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) for its F-16V multirole jets from 7th Tactical Aviation Wing deployed in the Taitung region. Taiwan was interested in many types of missiles for integration with their ‘Vipers’ including the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles, the AGM-84 Standoff Land Attack Missile, and the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon.
The government in Taipei has been seeking to obtain AGM-158 missiles for several years, without much success before the contract was reportedly signed. The ability to conduct long-range precision strikes is one of the necessities for the Taiwanese military to disrupt enemy deployment, strike the centers of operational gravity, and disturb operations in support areas.
According to Taiwan’s Defense Minister, the military’s defense goals emphasize long-range precision strikes, integrated air defense, joint sea control, joint homeland defense, cyber warfare, and joint command, control, and surveillance capabilities.
In recent years the aggressive rhetoric of the People’s Republic of China regarding Taiwan was more present than ever. The First Secretary of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping has openly increased preparations for military action and Chinese jets have regularly violated Taiwan’s ADIZ on numerous occasions in recent years.
Taiwan’s efforts are aimed at increasing the island’s defensive potential to fend off a possible Chinese invasion. With limited military personnel, the government in Taipei is forced to obtain high-tech systems to gain an advantage. However, according to Taiwan’s President, the threat of the invasion by Communist forces at the moment is low due to political and economic problems on the mainland. This circumstance, however, does not guarantee Taiwan’s safety.