From the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the United States:
WASHINGTON, August 8, 2007 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of AGM-84L HARPOON Block II missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $125 million.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States has requested a possible sale of 60 AGM-84L HARPOON Block II missiles, 2 HARPOON guidance control units, 30 HARPOON containers, 30 HARPOON extended air-launch lugs, 50 HARPOON upgrade kits from AGM-84G to AGM-84L configuration, missile modifications, test equipment and services, spares and repair parts for support equipment, training, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $125 million.
The US had previously sold 58 AGM-84G to Taiwan. Now that they are selling 50 upgrade kits, does it imply that ROCAF has already expended eight AGM-84G in exercises?
60 AGM-84L for 125 million USD(okay, including other things) is more expensive than a TLAM(Tomahawk)???
Pentagon Could Make $2.2 Billion Arms Sales to Taiwan
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, WASHINGTON
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070912/tap-us-taiwan-military-beb1011.html
Posted 09/12/07 17:
The Pentagon announced possible military sales to Taiwan worth more than 2.2 billion dollars Sept. 12, including a dozen P-3C Orion anti-submarine patrol aircraft and SM-2 anti-aircraft missiles.
The Defense Security and Cooperation Agency said the sales would help maintain “political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region.”
The Pentagon agency said Taiwan had requested 12 P-3C aircraft with engines and other equipment and three non-operational aircraft that would be used for spares. They would cost 1.96 billion dollars if all options were exercised, it said. It said Taiwan’s current patrol aircraft are reaching the end of their operational life and need to be replaced.
The P-3C Orions, which would come from excess U.S. stock, are capable of conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare.
The agency also notified Congress of a possible sale of 144 SM-2 Block IIIA Standard missiles valued at as high 272 million dollars. Taiwan, which already has SM-2 missiles, intended to use them on its destroyers to defend its navy against air and cruise missile threats, it said.
The sale would serve U.S. interests “by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its defensive ability to counter air threats,” the agency said.
The missiles are built by Raytheon Missile Systems Corporation on Tuscon, Arizona