According to the latest announcement of the Ministry of National Defense today, the Chinese military delegation to the United States has signed the "F-16 Mechanism Air Weapons" procurement agreement with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), namely 100 "AIM-9X" Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 4 sets Tactical guidance components and other related equipment.

The picture shows an active F-16V fighter jet of the Air Force, with the new AIM-9X Sidewinder missile mounted on the right wing tip, and the Marksman pod mounted on the side of the right air inlet.

(File photo, photo by reporter You Taro)

[Reporter Luo Tianbin/Taipei Report] The latest progress in US-Taiwan arms sales!

According to the latest announcement of the Ministry of National Defense today, the Chinese military delegation to the United States has signed a "F-16 machine-made air weapon" procurement case with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and made an official announcement today.

The amount of this military procurement is NT$2,394,063,292. It will be delivered in batches, and it is estimated that all will arrive in Taiwan before the end of 2030 and will be deployed at the Taitung base.

A military official pointed out today that the purchase of the "F-16 Mechanism Air Weapons" refers to the 100 "AIM-9X" Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and 4 sets of tactical guidance components that the US previously agreed to sell to Taiwan. Related equipment, according to the previous statement of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), pointed out that 100 "AIM-9X" Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and related equipment are worth about 85.6 million US dollars, which is consistent with the procurement information announced by the Department of Defense today.

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The "AIM-9X" missile has a range of about 26 kilometers and a flight speed of Mach 2.5. It can increase the lockable airspace during air combat aiming, and has the ability to launch attacks off-axis.

Yan Xiangsheng, a pilot of the 23rd Air Force Combat Team, said in an interview that the pilot's new joint helmet targeting system can be used with the AIM-9X missile with improved range and shooting angle. This helmet can increase the ability to use the missile.

He said that the joint helmet sighting system is mainly used to display and operate the missile function, and the rumored "where to see and where to hit" depends on the performance of the weapon.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced arms sales to Taiwan in September last year. The items are: 100 "AIM-9X" Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 4 sets of tactical guidance components and other related equipment, with an amount of about 85.6 million US dollars .

60 "AGM-84L-1" Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 4 training missiles and other related equipment, the amount is about 355 million US dollars.

And the long-range early warning radar program (SRP) logistics support services, the amount is about 665 million US dollars.

DSCA stated at the time that the sale of missiles to Taiwan can help Taiwan maintain a guaranteed defense capability, enhance our security, and maintain regional political stability, military balance, and economic development, which is in line with the national security and economic interests of the United States.

Logistical support services ensure the continued operation of the SRP and enhance our ability to respond to current and future threats.

According to military sources, the first two of these three military procurements are used for F-16V fighter jets, and the latter is a new phase (estimated to last for 5 years) of the long-range early warning radar logistics support plan. The important project of our early warning time, after Taiwan and the United States signed the procurement of 100 "AIM-9X" Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, I believe that the "AGM-84L-1" Harpoon anti-ship missile and the long-range early warning radar project (SRP) The logistics support service case will also continue to complete the contract signing.

According to the latest announcement of the Ministry of National Defense today, the Chinese military delegation to the United States has signed a procurement agreement with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for the "F-16 Mechanism Air Weapons".

The amount is NT$2,394,063,292, and it is expected to arrive in Taiwan before the end of 2030 and be deployed at the Taitung base.

The picture shows the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Wing of the Air Force preparing to mount the AIM-9X missile.

(File photo, photo by reporter Tu Jumin)

According to the latest announcement of the Ministry of National Defense today, the Chinese military delegation to the United States has signed the "F-16 Mechanism Air Weapons" procurement agreement with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), namely 100 "AIM-9X" Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 4 sets Tactical guidance components and other related equipment.

(Picture: Taken from the Government Electronic Procurement Network)