The United States government has authorized the potential sale of more than 1,000 new FGM-148F Javelin anti-tank missiles to equip the Taiwanese Army. The State Department notification, part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and valued at US$375 million, adds to other recent sales to the Taiwanese government totaling billions of dollars.
FGM-148 Javelin – U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola
The recent authorization granted by Washington seeks to further strengthen Taiwan’s military capabilities. This is evidenced by the recent approval to proceed with the sale of new M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, HIMARS high-mobility artillery systems, along with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles and thousands of ALTIUS loitering munitions. Also a logistics support package for the Taiwanese Army’s fleet of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters is listed.
Following a report on December 17 by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Taiwanese government requested the purchase of 1,150 FGM-148F anti-tank missiles, along with 60 new Light Command and Launch Units (LwCLUs).
The deal, valued at US$375 million, would have as its main supplier the joint venture formed by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, responsible for producing the anti-tank missiles and man-portable launchers that make up the system.
Finally, the State Department indicated that: “This proposed sale serves the national, economic, and security interests of the United States by supporting the recipient country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive capability. The proposed sale will contribute to enhancing the recipient’s security and helping to maintain political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.”
You might also be interested in: Lockheed Martin reportedly begins taxi tests of the first of 66 new F-16 Block 70 fighters for the Taiwanese Air Force
Really?? Are “tanks” high on Taiwan’s list of concerns?
They can also be used as seen in Ukraine on ships and helicopters as well with excellent targeting and aim. They have become multi purpose and very very reliable at taking out medium and small vessels an helo’s
Sounds like you know what the taiwanese are most concerned about …please tell us.
Javelins are effective for more than just tanks. That top attack mode would work very well against all but the largest landing craft, and any light armor.
They should be buying drones. China is gathering info on modern warfare with the Ukraine war. China has not fatigue a modern late scale conflict since Vietnam and even then it was a shadow war. They need drone defense and attack drones anti tank missiles; If China gets a footing on Mainland Taiwan, the war is already over and they’re all fleeing here.
All china wouldve had to do is give trump a big chunk of change and never would happen
12-27-25. I’m sure the CCP(China) is really angry with this move.
The images look like TOW 1 missiles
China wants the chip making factory. They don’t have what Taiwan has. China cannot destroy Taiwan for fear of attaining nothing but debris. They are trying to make Taiwan surrender by fear.
I agter that anti-tank middle could be used against watercraft. China apparently anticipates invading across the strait. Oddly Taiwan has islands close to yhe coast of mainland China which were mentioned in an internet report.
You’ll see no Taiwanese fleeing to the United States. China will proceed invasion with encirclement and perhaps and embargo. China will overrun the island at the Taiwanese will be trapped in place. It’s just a question of how much it’s going to cost the PRC, so these arms sales are going to raise the price.
The concern should be less about arms and less about but attracting sufficient numbers of competent youth into the taiwanese military.
For those saying Javelins are not a concern.
Javelins act as more than a tank munition. They can be used to attack fortifications, Tanks, landing craft, the MASSIVE fleet of water born infantry fighting vehicles China has, and anything that comes ashore by landing. This mixed in with their indirect munitions make any landing for China a very large threat, especially backed up by the thousands of drones Taiwan now has.
The larger problem for Taiwan though is not access to the weaponry, but the will to fight and those inside of the Taiwanese army and civilianship that side with China, for which there is a large amount.
I would like to see our military keep a bit of something in the kitty for protection of the Continental US. This time around, war will come to our shores too. This isn’t going to be like world wars 1 and 2.
If I were Chinese and I were facing an armed conflict, I would turn the small island into an artillery range.
How long before these turn up in PRC hands from a Taiwanese spy for China? Any bets? 60 days? 90 days?
Great point about the weapon system. It’s great against Heavy Tanks so imagine what it could do to a landing craft carrying troops or Tanks.