Taiwan Get Harpoon Missiles For Its Submarines

Taiwan has taken delivery of Harpoon anti-ship missiles to be used on its Submarines as part of $6.5 billion arms deal it signed in 2008 with the US.

The first batch of such missiles for the navy's two Dutch-built submarines has been shipped to Taiwan, the state Central News Agency said.

"The missiles will be able to extend the range of the two submarines' striking capabilities, enabling them to launch a pre-emptive attack when necessary," deputy defence minister Andrew Hsia was quoted as saying.

The missile has a range of 150 nautical miles (278 km), nearly ten times the range of torpedoes which are currently the subs' major weaponry.

The US deal includes advanced interceptor Patriot missiles and Apache attack helicopters.