Raytheon to supply Taiwan with advanced AGM-154 missiles

WASHINGTON (TVBS News) — The United States Department of Defense announced on Feb. 2 that the Raytheon Company had inked a deal to produce and deliver 50 AGM-154 Block III C Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) to Taiwan.

The fixed-price contract, valued at US＄68.4 million or approximately NT＄2.14713 billion, stipulates that the work plan should be completed by March 2028.

The AGM-154 Block III C, a type of air-launched glide cruise missile equipped with a Link11 tactical digital data link, can reach a range of 22 kilometers when launched at a low altitude. However, when launched at a higher altitude, combined with its gliding ability, it can extend its range to 130 kilometers.

AGM-154 Block III C, which can be loaded on Taiwan's active F-16V fighter jets, would significantly extend the range of Taiwan's aerial maneuvers for land-based attacks and block opposing forces in the strait.

In another Taiwan-U.S. weapons procurement contract involving AGM-84H/K (SLAM-ER) extended-range standoff land attack missiles, the purchase has experienced delays and negotiations are ongoing.