State Department OKs Possible Sale of Torpedoes to Taiwan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Taiwan of submarine-launched torpedoes, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a release.

DSCA said that Congress has been notified of the potential sale of torpedoes to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), which represents Taiwan’s interests in the United States.

TECRO has requested to buy 18 Mk48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology Heavy-Weight Torpedoes, as well as spare parts, support and test equipment, shipping and shipping containers, operator manuals, technical documentation, training, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services and other related elements of logistics support, the DSCA said, with a total estimated program cost of $180 million.

“The proposed sale will improve the recipient’s capability in current and future defensive efforts,” the release said. “The recipient will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

DSCA said that there are no prime contractors associated with this case because all material will be delivered straight from U.S. Navy stocks.

The Mk48 torpedo is now back in production for the U.S. Navy after a gap in procurement.

The Republic of China Navy in Taiwan operates two Chien-Lung diesel-electric submarines based on the Dutch Zwaardvis design as well as two old U.S. diesel-electric submarines for training.