FMS: Taiwan Requests AMRAAM and Maverick Missiles

Released on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of AMRAAM and Maverick missiles as well as associated equipment and services.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $421 million.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States has requested a possible sale of 218 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), AMRAAM Missiles - Instrumented, AMRAAM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 48 LAU-129A Launchers, 235 AGM-65G2 Maverick Missiles, 4 TGM-65G Maverick Training Missiles, aircraft modification and integration, spares and repair parts, support and test equipment, maintenance and pilot training, software support, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $421 million.

This proposed sale serves our national economic and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its defensive ability to counter air and ground threats. The proposed sale will help improve the security of recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. The U.S. is committed to providing military assistance under the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act.

This sale is consistent with United States law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8.

The sale of AMRAAM and Maverick missiles to recipient augments and complements the recipient's F-16 fleet. The recipient uses AMRAAM and Maverick missiles to enhance its defense capabilities. Acquisition of AMRAAM and Maverick missiles will allow the recipient to protect and defend Taiwan. The recipient has AMRAAM and Maverick missiles in its inventory and will be able to absorb and effectively utilize the additional missiles.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the recipient.

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Corporation, Tucson, Arizona. Although the purchaser generally requires offsets, at this time, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.