TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Air Force wants to procure an extra nine National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems in addition to the three it has already ordered from the US, reports said Saturday.

The new package would also include 339 missiles and carry a price tag of NT$110 billion (US$3.68 billion), the Liberty Times reported. The systems would be included in proposals for a special budget the military plans to submit to the Cabinet by the end of August.

The added NASAMS and the missiles would serve to protect urban areas, airports, military garrisons, and other key sites in central and south Taiwan. The three systems already ordered for NT$10 billion are set to be located in north Taiwan, with the first scheduled for delivery later this year.

The flexibility of the systems allows for the use of AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles. If F-16V jets are unable to take off, their missiles could be transferred to the NASAMS systems.