Taiwan wants to arm upgraded F-16 Viper fighters with US AGM-88 HARM, AGM-84 SLAM and AGM-154 JSOW missiles

Taiwan is ready to buy an additional batch of missiles from the US. They are needed to arm modernised F-16 Block 70/72 (Viper) fighters.

Here's What We Know

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence stated its desire to purchase several types of air-to-ground missiles. In particular, we are talking about AGM-88 HARM (High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles), AGM-84 SLAM (Standoff Land Attack Missile) and AGM-154 JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon). According to open sources, the SLAM and JSOW have a launch range of 110 kilometres and 130 kilometres respectively. HARM missiles can engage targets within a range of 25-300 km depending on the configuration.

The report, which was handed over to the country's legislature earlier this month, also notes the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence's desire to buy two unnamed missiles. One of them is believed to be the AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles).

The island nation's defence establishment believes the new missiles will enhance the capabilities of fourth-generation fighter jets. Taiwan's air force has F-16V aircraft in service. Lockheed Martin is also due to start delivering new modernised F-16V fighters soon.

The JASSM is a very attractive option for Taiwan. The missile has a 430kg fragmentation warhead. It has a launch range of 370 kilometres, while the Extended Range variant can fly nearly 1,000 kilometres.

Source: Taipei Times