US proposes sending 100 most up-to-date PATRIOT missiles to Taiwan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Bloomberg
6 Dec 2022 12:19
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US State Department is expected to announce the initiative on December 6 and submit it to Congress for consideration for up to 30 days.

US Upgrades Taiwan Weapons Package With Newer Patriot Missiles

A State Department notice obtained by Bloomberg News on Tuesday said the US has offered Taiwan to buy up to 100 of its most up-to-date Patriot air-defense missiles. The batch will also include radar and related equipment, the report states.

The total amount of the transaction is estimated at $882 million.

According to the notice, the proposal was prepared on the basis of an agreement concluded between the US and the Taiwan administration back in 2010, which means that the current proposal is an extension of the previous deal.

Though the 2010 proposal amounted to $2.81 billion, the US does not plan to modify that amount with the inclusion of the upgrade, which at the time infuriated Beijing.

The total 2010 value will thus remain $2.81 billion, the notice states.

The report adds that the State Department is expected to announce the initiative on December 6 and submit it to Congress for consideration for up to 30 days.

The proposal calls for 100 of upgrade Lockheed Martin Corp.’s hit-to-kill Patriot Pac-3 “Missile Segment Enhancement” missiles sent to Taiwan, including M903 Launcher modification kits, missile round trainers, and software upgrades to accommodate the new missiles.

The notice further says that the sale is intended to improve Taiwan’s Patriot missile system "to improve its missile defense capability, defend its territorial integrity, and deter threats for regional stability."

The Patriot MSE is a "small, highly agile, kinetic kill interceptor for defense against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and air-breathing threats" and “represents the next generation in hit-to-kill interceptors and provides expanded battlespace against evolving threats."

The upgraded version improves upon the original hit-to-kill PAC-3 with a "capability with a higher performance solid rocket motor, modified lethality, more responsible control surfaces and upgraded guidance software," the note says.