Taiwan is boosting its defense capabilities by planning to build six Harpoon missile bases, as announced by military officials on November 10. Designed to house mobile Harpoon missiles, these bases will serve multiple purposes, including offices, living quarters, garages, and peace-time training facilities, ensuring minimal noise pollution and maximum safety. The missiles, intended for coastal defense, will be deployed only in wartime or under special circumstances.
The proposed locations for these bases include Huwei Township in Yunlin, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and several other sites. However, this plan has faced some local opposition. Yunlin County Councilors Lee Ming-che and Huang Wen-Hsiang voiced their concerns at a council meeting on November 7, noting that Huwei is at the heart of Yunlin and already crowded with ongoing construction projects. They raised objections due to the offensive nature of the Harpoon missiles and the proximity of the proposed base to a high-speed rail station, urging the Ministry of National Defense to reconsider the plan in light of local development and resident safety.
The Harpoon Block II RGM-84L-4 is an anti-ship missile manufactured by Boeing Defence, Space & Security, known for its ability to perform both land and sea missions. As a versatile missile, it can be used in all weather conditions to engage a wide range of land targets, including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, aircraft, port or industrial facilities, and ships docked in ports.