The Navy awarded Boeing [BA] a $498 million undefinitized order on March 2 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement to produce Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS) launch system for Taiwan.

Previously, in 2020 the State Department

approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of up to 100 HCDSs costing up to $2.37 billion. The sale included 100 HCDSs with 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II surface launched missiles, containers, 100 HCDS launcher transporter units and 25 radar trucks (Defense Daily, Oct. 26, 2020).

At the time, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Taiwan would be able to use the system to “counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades, and amphibious assaults.”

The latest order specifically covers 100 launcher transporter units, 25 radar units, and HCDS training equipment. Work is expected to be finished by December 2028. 

$244 million in Foreign Military Sales funds were obligated at the time of award and none will expire after this fiscal year.