A senior Israeli defense official confirmed that
Dolphin-class subs carry modified U.S. Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Making them nuclear-capable would require an Israeli-developed nuclear warhead and guidance kit for land-attack targets. It is unknown whether the missiles have that modification. In March 2000, the United States rejected Israel's request for 12 long-range BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The Tomahawk sea-launched cruise missile exists in a nuclear-tipped version for delivery by U.S. attack subs. ..
Taiwan to boost submarine force with Harpoon anti-ship missiles: Jane's
TAIPEI (AFP) Sep 25, 2005
Taiwan plans to equip its two Dutch-built submarines with Harpoon anti-ship missiles that could be used to attack key Chinese naval bases, Jane's Defence Weekly said.
If all goes smoothly, the two Sea Dragon diesel electric submarines would be armed with UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, the defence weekly said in an article to be published Wednesday.
It said the US navy had awarded McDonnell Douglas Corp, a Boeing subsidiary, a contract to coordinate and execute an on-site survey of the submarines for this purpose.
Submarine-launched Harpoons are pre-loaded into a capsule and launched from a torpedo tube. The capsule rises to the surface and launches the missile.
"
If Taiwan procures the Block 2 Harpoons with coastal target suppression, Taiwan's submarines will have the capability of attacking coastal, in-harbour and land targets," Jane's said.
"This will place China's key naval bases of Shantou, Xiamen, Sandu, Xiazhen, Shanghai and Zhoushan in Taiwan's crosshairs," it said
The Harpoon missile deal, following Russia's sale of Kh-41 anti-ship missiles to China, was part of a 2001 US arms package. ..
Taiwan already has air and ship-launched Harpoons. ..
'A Taiwan F-16 fighter jet has
a Harpoon antiship missile during an ongoing joint forces exercise in what will greatly expand the Air Force's capability to intercept attacking Chinese warships long before they approach the island, military officials were quoted as saying Wednesday. ..
'The combination of F-16s with Harpoon missiles will greatly expand our combat range and enhance our capability to intercept hostile warships as far away as Hainan Island or Qingdao,'' ..
. Plus how would the PRC feel about this? Would they feel threatened ? Or would it wratchet up an esat Asia arms race?
