The US’ announcement of an arms sales package to Taiwan that includes one of the most advanced missiles in service on US warplanes underlines Washington’s trust in Taipei, a military expert said.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday announced a US$619 million package that includes 100 AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM), 23 HARM training missiles, 200 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM), four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance systems and 26 LAU-129 multipurpose launchers for F-16 jets.
If approved by the US Congress, the package would mark the first time the US has sold Taiwan the AIM-120C-8 missiles, which are also fielded on advanced US jets including the F/A-18, F-22 and F-35.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
Institute of National Defense and Security Research fellow Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲) said the package has political significance in that the AIM-120C-8 is deployed on some of the US’ most advanced aircraft.
This demonstrates the deepening bilateral ties between the nations, and the trust the US has in Taiwan, he said.
The AIM-120C-8 missile — which features a two-way data link and improved navigation using a GPS-enhanced inertial measurement unit — is often deployed on planes in combination with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for short to mid-range combat. It is also used by Japan’s air force.
Su said the missile features a greatly increased range of 160km — about 1.5 times that of the previous AIM-120C-7 missile.
Its expanded no-escape envelope and high-angle off-boresight capability mean that enemy aircraft within firing range are less likely to escape, he said.
While a pilot traditionally has to lock on to the tail of an enemy aircraft using a targeting system before initiating a strike, the off-boresight launch capability allows pilots to fire the missiles at extreme angles, he said.
This capability, coupled with a helmet-mounted cueing system, means that pilots would no longer need a clear line of sight on a target, and would be able to fire a missile at an enemy aircraft flanking them just by looking over their shoulder, he said.
Taiwan first acquired 50 AGM-88B missiles from the US during former US president Donald Trump’s administration, he said.
With the addition of the proposed 100 AGM-88B missiles, it would bolster the air force’s ability to target Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) coastal radar stations, communications stations and marine radars, he said.
Although identified in the announcement as simply AGM-88B, it is widely believed that the missiles being proposed for sale are upgraded units from the 2018 HARM control section modification program that reportedly have an increased range of 180km.
Chieh Chung (揭仲), an associate research fellow with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) think tank National Policy Foundation, said that the Ministry of National Defense “took a step in the right direction” by seeking to purchase the missiles, as it would expand Taiwan’s arsenal and be an effective deterrent against PLA warships and aircraft.
The AGM-88B missile would allow the air force to target the radar systems on PLA ships during war, potentially forcing them to retreat, he said.
They could also be deployed against radar stations along China’s southeastern coast, he added.
If the air force can suppress enemy fire, creating a window for a counterstrike, Indigenous Defense Fighters carrying domestically developed Wan Chien air-to-ground missiles could deter PLA forces from deploying missiles against Taiwanese aircraft, he said.
UPGRADE: The Kang Ding-class frigate is replacing its Chaparall missiles with Tien Chien II and Hua Yang VLS, which would provide it with long-range, 360° air defense Taiwan plans to produce 1,200 to 1,376 Hai Chien II missiles (海劍二, Sea Sword II) — also known as TC-2N — to serve as the standard air defense system of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, a source said yesterday. Last week, the Hai Chien II, the naval version of the Tien Kung II missile (天劍二, Sky Sword II), completed a live-fire test in waters off the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology’s Jiupeng facility (九鵬) in Pingtung County’s Manjhou Township (滿州). The MIM72 Chaparral and other dated air defense missiles that currently arm Taiwanese ships have inadequate range to combat Chinese
REASONS FOR TRAVEL: An assistant professor said that proposed amendments to penalize drivers if they used drugs overseas would not deter people from traveling People who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana would have their driver’s license revoked, even if they used the substance while overseas, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday, citing proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). The amendments would also authorize the government to revoke the licenses of people determined to have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, as well as ban them from taking the license test for three years, the ministry said. People aged 18 or
HEAVY WEATHER: Typhoon Jangmi is due to crash straight into the Ryukyus as airlines look to shift flights to larger aircraft or cancel flights to Okinawa entirely Taiwan’s international air carriers announced flight adjustments over the weekend as Typhoon Jangmi is forecast to hit the Ryukyu Islands today and tomorrow. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) upgraded Jangmi from a tropical storm to a typhoon at 8am yesterday, with the eye located 580km south of Naha city. It was moving north at 19kph. Today, China Airlines’ CI-120, CI-121, CI-122 and CI-123 flights between Taoyuan and Naha, Okinawa, have been canceled as well as CI-132 and CI-133 between Kaohsiung and Naha. EVA Air’s BR-112, BR-113, BR-186 and BR-185 flights between Taoyuan and Naha are also canceled. Low-cost carrier Tigerair Taiwan canceled IT-230,
Johanne Liou (劉喬安), a Taiwanese woman who shot to unwanted fame during the Sunflower movement protests in 2014, returned to Taiwan last night after being deported from the US. She is to stand trial in Taiwan for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and drug crimes. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said it took her into custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and would first question her before transferring her to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. She was arrested upon disembarking a flight from San Francisco that landed shortly before 7pm. Liou absconded to the US in 2019 after jumping bail
RSS