The Department of Defense announced on April 7 that the Navy had awarded a procurement contract for 400 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles for Taiwan. On its face, the announcement is certainly welcome news. The missiles will accompany the new Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS), which can play a potentially pivotal role in helping Taiwan deter aggression from Beijing, namely an amphibious assault or maritime blockade.
Bradley Bowman is senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
