The US government on Wednesday announced plans to sell Taiwan three packages of weapon systems worth US$1.81 billion, including standoff land attack missiles and HIMARS rocket launchers.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the U.S. Department of Defense officially notified Congress of the possible sales on Wednesday after they had been approved by the State Department, according to news releases published by DSCA on its website, CNA reports.

One of the packages, with an estimated cost of US$1.008 billion, includes 135 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles; four ATM-84H SLAM-ER Telemetry Missiles; and 12 CATM-84H Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), DSCA said.

Also included in this package are 151 containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor representatives' technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

Another package, with an estimated cost of US$436.1 million, includes 11 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 Launchers; 64 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) M57 Unitary Missiles; seven M1152Al High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs); 11 M240B Machine Guns, 7.62MM; and 17 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (IFATDS).

Also included are 54 M28A2 Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket Pods (LCRRPR); 11 M2Al machine guns, .50 caliber; 22 AN/NRC-92E dual radio systems; seven AN/NRC-92E dual radio ground stations; 15 AN/VRC-90E single radio systems; 11 M1084A2 cargo Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) Resupply Vehicles (RSV); two M1089A2 cargo wrecker FMTV RSV; 11 M1095 trailer cargo FMTV, 5-ton; support equipment; communications equipment; spare and repair parts; test sets; laptop computers; training and training equipment; publication; systems integration support; technical data; Stockpile Reliability Program (SRP); Quality Assurance and Technical Assistance Teams; U.S. government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The last package, with an estimated cost of US$367.2 million, includes six MS-110 Recce Pods; three Transportable Ground Stations; one Fixed Ground station; spare and repair parts; repair and return; site surveys; integration and test equipment; system support and equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The DSCA reiterated that the proposed sales are consistent with U.S. law and policy as expressed in the Taiwan Relations Act.

It stressed that the proposed sales serve U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting Taiwan's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.

Also, the proposed sales will help improve Taiwan's security and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region, the agency said, adding that the proposed sales will not alter the basic military balance in the region.-Photo: navair.navy.mil/Lockheed Martin

AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles.

Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)

Missiles part of a US$1.8b arsenal approved by Washington for Taiwan