The land-based Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS) scored a direct hit during US Navy trials ahead of its planned deployment to Taiwan’s military. The HCDS is currently not under contract for the US or any other military besides Taiwan’s, making the successful live-fire test a critical step in fulfilling Taipei’s $2.3 billion order.
An American Harpoon missile system that will be fielded by Taiwan struck a vessel in a maritime strike test.
The Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defense System successfully struck the test target during a developmental test. According to the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Munitions release, the test was designed to validate the ground-based Harpoon system’s ability to engage at-sea threats.
“During the event, the Harpoon missile successfully launched from land and engaged the target vessel in near-shore/littoral waters. HCDS is designed to provide a robust, land-based anti-ship capability, leveraging the proven Harpoon missile to protect vital coastal assets and strategic waterways,” read the release.
A Naval Air Systems Command official with the test stated in the release that the event “represents a significant milestone in our mission to deliver a vital, high-priority defense capability to the field.”
Further trials will proceed in the second phase of the developmental phase to further validate the HCDS.
The test provided the first look at the HCDS, a system that will be soon fielded in large quantities by the Republic of China Navy’s Littoral Combat Command.
These systems were procured in a 2023 deal worth up to $2.3 billion for 100 launchers and 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block IIs. Taiwan News reported that the contract was inked on behalf of Taipei by NAVAIR. The purchase supplements Taiwan’s existing ship-to-surface and air-launched Harpoon stocks. At least five HCDS launchers and a radar vehicle have been delivered to Taiwan.
According to a Taiwanese defense observer, the system is mounted on the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. This differs from Boeing’s previously trailer-based Harpoon launcher designs for Denmark and South Korea. Media released on the test showed a gray-colored HEMTT with a command cabin and four Harpoon canisters.
Taiwan’s HCDS will operate alongside subsonic HF-2 and supersonic HF-3 launchers. Taiwanese forces have reinforced their stockpiles since the early 2020s of these domestically-built anti-ship missiles. Between 2022 to 2026, HF stocks were bolstered by the hundreds in the “Sea-Air Combat Power Improvement Plan.” Further developments have expanded their ranges out to 1,500 kilometers.
Taipei plans to deploy Harpoons, domestically-built missiles and one-way attack drones to blunt a Chinese invasion attempt. Investments into these weapons are crucial for a high-intensity Taiwan Contingency Operation. Reuters estimates that the island’s forces will possess at least 1,800 anti-ship missiles by 2029.
