Taiwan could possess as many as 1,800 U.S.-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles by 2029 [1].
This projected buildup is significant because these weapons are viewed as a cornerstone of the island's ability to deter and defend against naval incursions. The stockpile serves as a primary mechanism for denying enemy forces access to the coast.
Defense researcher Shen Ming-shih said the assets are strategically important in an analysis of the region's military posture [1]. The Harpoon missiles are designed to strike ships at sea, providing a critical layer of defense for the government and its forces [1].
The increase in munitions is part of a broader effort to strengthen Taiwan's defense strategy against regional threats [1]. By expanding the number of available missiles to 1,800 by 2029 [1], the defense forces aim to ensure a sustainable level of firepower during a potential conflict.
These missiles are considered vital to the defense posture of the island [1]. The ability to deploy a large volume of anti-ship weaponry allows Taiwan to create a more formidable maritime barrier, a key component of its overall security architecture.
While the specific numbers are estimates, the focus remains on the long-term accumulation of these U.S.-made systems [1]. The goal is to maintain a credible deterrent that can effectively challenge opposing naval capabilities in the surrounding waters [1].
“Taiwan could possess as many as 1,800 U.S.-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles by 2029.”
The projected increase in Harpoon missiles reflects a shift toward a 'porcupine strategy,' where the goal is to make the cost of an invasion prohibitively high. By focusing on asymmetric capabilities like anti-ship missiles, Taiwan aims to offset the numerical superiority of regional adversaries and maintain a deterrent that relies on precision and volume rather than matching a larger navy ship-for-ship.
