For one, there is limited availability of platforms to launch Harpoons from shore - a technically challenging solution according to several officials - as it is mostly a sea-based missile.
In April, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to Portugal to provide the Ukrainian military with Harpoons, which have a range of up to almost 300 km.īut there are several issues keeping Ukraine from receiving the missiles. Kyiv’s list, for example, includes missiles that could push the Russian navy away from its Black Sea ports, allowing the restart of shipments of grain and other agricultural products worldwide.Ĭurrent and former US officials and congressional sources have cited roadblocks to sending longer range, more powerful weapons to Ukraine that include lengthy training requirements, difficulties maintaining equipment, or concerns US weaponry could be captured by Russian forces, in addition to the fear of escalation.īut three US officials and two congressional sources said two types of powerful anti-ship missiles, the Harpoon made by Boeing and the Naval Strike Missile made by Kongsberg and Raytheon Technologies were in active consideration for either direct shipment to Ukraine, or through a transfer from a European ally that has the missiles. Ukraine has made no secret it wants more advanced US capabilities beyond its current inventory of artillery, Javelin and Stinger missiles, and other arms. That followed another proposed sale announced October 21 to provide US$1.8 billion worth of weaponry, including missile and rocket systems, and upgraded equipment for Taiwan's F-16 jet fighters.The White House is working to put advanced anti-ship missiles in the hands of Ukrainian fighters to help defeat Russia’s naval blockade, officials said, amid concerns more powerful weapons that could sink Russian warships would intensify the conflict. It can target coastal defence sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, ships in port, and port and industrial facilities. Boeing says the missile uses GPS-aided inertial navigation and delivers a 500-pound blast warhead. The Trump administration on Monday notified Congress of plans for the Harpoon system, whose missiles are capable of striking ships and land targets. “This will also enhance our overall combat capabilities to contribute to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."
“The purchase of these weapons will enhance Taiwan’s credible combat capabilities and asymmetric combat capabilities," Shih told reporters at a briefing, using a term for countering a much stronger foe with precision weapons and advanced tactics. The sides split amid a civil war in 1949 and China considers Taiwan its own territory to brought under its control by force if necessary.
and Boeing Co.’s defense division, the lead contractor on a US$2.37 billion sale of Harpoon missile systems to Taiwan.įacing a potential Chinese foe with overwhelming superiority in missiles, soldiers, ships and planes, Taiwan has struggled to assure its own people and key ally the US that it is capable of and willing to see to its own defence. The comments from defence ministry spokesperson Shih Shun-wen came a day after China said it would exact unspecified retaliation against companies that make the weapons systems, including Lockheed Martin Corp., Raytheon Technologies Corp.
0 kommentar(er)
