The US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Boeing a $498 million contract modification for work on delivering the Harpoon coastal defense system launchers (HCDS) to Taiwan.
The contract modification follows a previous $220 million order from September 2021, when the company was contracted to support the configuration efforts for the HCDS, to include the Harpoon Block II canister-launched missiles, the launch system, and Harpoon weapon station test and production equipment.
The contract from March 2 will see Boeing deliver 100 launcher transporter units, 25 radar units, and HCDS training equipment.
Boeing received the two contracts after the US State Department approved the sale of HCDS, alongside HIMARS systems, AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missiles, and long-range reconnaissance pods for F-16 fighters to Taiwan in October 2020.
According to reports from Taiwan, deliveries of the Harpoon coastal missile defense system are expected to be completed by 2028, with Taiwan set to spend around US$2.37 billion, according to the US State Department estimate. That price tag would include a total of over 400 missiles, 100 launchers, radar systems and other supporting equipment.
Harpoon Block II missiles have a range between 200 and 300 kilometers and feature autonomous, all-weather, over-the-horizon capability to execute missions against sea and land targets, including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, port or industrial facilities, and ships in port. The Harpoon missiles can be launched from fixed-wing aircraft, ships and submarines, and coastal defense batteries.
