Defense Mission to the US and the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy to the nation, have inked a NT$697 million (US$22.48 million) deal to maintain the Raytheon Standard missiles utilized by the navy.
The sustainment package runs from last month to December 2027 and is to cost NT$7.58 million for the portion to be implemented this year, the government said in a contract award notice on Tuesday.
Standard Missile 1 (SM-1) and Standard Missile 2 (SM-2), subtypes of the RIM-66 Standard, are multipurpose weapons capable of engaging aircraft and ships that equip the bulk of the navy’s surface combatants, including Cheng Kung-class and Kang Ding-class frigates, and Kee Lung-class destroyers.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
The SM-1 was introduced in the navy more than three decades ago and the weapon has since been phased out of the US Navy, resulting in Raytheon terminating support of the weapon for end users.
Since then, Taiwan has relied on the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology to maintain and upgrade the SM-1s still in the magazines of Taiwanese warships.
Meanwhile, the SM-2 systems are still in use as a frontline weapon in the US Navy and continue to enjoy Raytheon’s maintenance and sustainment services, meaning the contract likely applies specifically to missiles of this type arming Kee Lung-class destroyers.
The US Navy remains the largest user of the Standard family of missiles, including the latest RIM-176 Extended Range Active Missile, also known as Standard Missile 6, which is designed with the capability to intercept aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and satellites.
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