Taiwan Boosts Coastal Defense With U.S.-Made Harpoon Block II Missiles Amid Rising Tensions
Taiwan is set to receive its first shipment of land-launched RGM-84L-4 Block II (U) Harpoon anti-ship missile systems from the United States. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that five missile launcher vehicles and one radar vehicle were officially transferred in the first quarter of 2025. The U.S. will handle transportation arrangements and provide the necessary documentation to ensure the missile systems arrive in Taiwan by the end of the first half of the year. This delivery marks a key step in strengthening Taiwan’s coastal defense capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
Taiwan’s purchase of 100 launch units and 400 RGM-84L-4 Block II (U) Harpoon missiles is part of a ten-year defense program worth NT$86.6 billion (around USD 2.7 billion), approved for the 2021 to 2030 period. The goal of this major arms deal is to boost Taiwan’s land-based sea denial capabilities by allowing it to strike enemy naval forces from the ground. The full acquisition is split into two phases: the first phase includes 32 launch units set for delivery by the end of 2026, while the second phase will deliver the remaining 68 units before the end of 2028. Some support equipment for the missile systems was already delivered in late 2024.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has set up coordination measures to support the Harpoon missile program, including monthly PIPT meetings, biannual PMR sessions, and biweekly updates with the U.S. project office. These steps help track engineering progress and delivery schedules to ensure quality and timely arrival. The RGM-84L-4 Block II (U) Harpoon missile variant purchased by Taiwan is an upgraded version with enhanced performance. While the standard Block II has a range of over 124 km, Taiwan’s version is believed to reach more than 148 km, according to ROC Navy sources.
The Harpoon missile, developed by McDonnell Douglas and now produced by Boeing Defense, has been in service since 1977. It is an all-weather, over-the-horizon anti-ship missile designed to fly low over the sea using active radar guidance. The Harpoon missile weighs about 691 Kg with the booster and carries a 221 Kg high-explosive warhead. It is powered by a Teledyne CAE J402 turbojet engine that delivers over 272 Kg of thrust. The missile is 4.6 meters long for submarine and surface launchings and 3.8 meters for air-launched missiles. The missile has a diameter of 34.3cm and a wingspan of 91.4cm. Harpoon Block II has added GPS-aided guidance and SLAM-ER-based software, allowing it to attack on ships as well as land targets. The missile contains advanced technology like radar altimeters, SAASM GPS, and midcourse update capabilities, enabling accurate attacks close inshore and in narrow sea channels.
Boeing Harpoon missile production remains in operation, augmented by a new 35,000-square-foot building finished in 2021 to address increasing demand from overseas buyers. The mobile coastal defense systems enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities by enabling rapid relocation and covert placement.