Taiwan Military Shopping List

After the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the proposed sale of air-launched HARPOON missiles to Taiwan, it is interesting to know that Taiwan had requested this type of missile, albeit the ship-launched version, in as early as 1974.  I just found a US government document (electronic version) dated Jun 22, 1974, with the subject ASSESSMENT OF SECURITY ASSISTANCE-ROC, which contains such information.

The entire electronic document is in uppercase letters and is probably generated by OCR of the scanned original.  Because it is not easy to read, I extracted and reformatted the text.  Paragraph 18 of this document is given below (text in blue):

18. Very recently-obtained GROC 5-year Force Buildup Plan lists extensive equipment requirements. List is submitted intact with GROC-assigned priorities and source of funding. Our comments are footnoted:

(a) With exception of F-5E program, all references to co-production as source of funding should read cash or commercial credit.
(b) Reference to “Local” funding refers to local production such as that in combined service forrce facilities as opposed to direct procurement.
(c) Either not reviewed or not endorsed by country team.

Acquisition of the (ship-launched) HARPOON missiles is listed as Priority 27.  Please also note that there is no Priority 53 and that the symbols in Priority 44 are not a smiley (but probably an OCR error).   Throughout the years, Taiwan has obtained most of the items in the list.  The exceptions include the F-4E and RF-4E aircraft.  But I guess only aviation enthusiasts would want the Taiwan military to acquire these aircraft.