The Hsiung Feng III ( HF-3 “Brave Wind III”) is a medium range supersonic missile with capabilities to destroy both land based targets and naval targets developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) in Taiwan.

The news report added that Taipei had requested to buy the RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER missile but Washington only agreed to sell the RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II. Taiwan produces its own highly capable, supersonic coastal defense missiles, the Hsiung Feng III, capable of travel at more than two times the speed of sound. This lead to speculation that the sales contract to Boeing was forced on the Taiwan Navy. It was also pointed out that the entire purchase, from preparing draft to approval, took only three months and it was not part of the Taiwanese Navy’s weapon acquisition work plan for 2020. (Image: Wikimedia-2002) The purchase was not part of Taiwan weapon acquisition plan for 2020 Royal Danish Navy’s Mobile Missile Battery which was in service from early 90’s capable of firing Harpoon missiles for coastal defense. In addition, the Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems communications and other related equipment will be delayed as well. But at the end of last year, the United States informed Taiwan that due to operational issues and other related issues, the delivery of other equipment will be delayed for one year until the end of 2025, and the delivery of new missiles will be delayed. In the beginning, the delivery of the missiles was planned for 2024. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 26 October 2020 the approval of a USD2.37 billion sale to Taiwan of up to 100 Boeing Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDSs) and up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II medium-range, surface-launched, anti-ship missiles along with related equipment and support. Taiwan is unlikely to take delivery of the Harpoon Coastal Defense System in 2024 after the United States informs Taiwan that Boeing can only start delivery of equipment in 2025, according to Taiwanese Up Media. Denmark, a NATO ally, has also pledged to provide Harpoon anti-ship missiles to Ukraine.A view of an RGM-84 surface-to-surface Harpoon missile, immediately after leaving a canister launcher aboard the cruiser USS LEAHY (CG-16), near the Pacific Missile Test Center, Calif. The Pentagon is also providing Harpoon missiles to Ukraine as part of a larger effort by the United States and its allies to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities against aggression from Russia. The Harpoon missile system is used by several countries, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Netherlands, Denmark, Egypt, Spain, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. It is designed to protect friendly soil by controlling straits or preventing ships from threatening land-based targets. The HCDS includes RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II surface-launched missiles with a range of up to 75 miles, as well as radar trucks, support equipment, and test equipment. The missile launcher can be mounted on a military truck and is fired from container launchers mounted at the rear of the chassis. HCDS is a ground-based version of the Boeing Harpoon missile Block II, capable of targeting both ships and land-based sites such as enemy coastal defenses, ports, and aircraft.

That price tag would include a total of over 400 missiles, 100 launchers, radar systems and other supporting equipment.

The country expects deliveries of the Harpoon coastal missile defense system to be completed by 2028, as part of an investment worth around US$2.37 billion.

Taiwan harpoon missile