TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will receive the first batch of Harpoon anti-ship missiles as early as the end of this year, paving the way for the establishment of the Littoral Combatant Command at the start of next year.

During a Legislative Yuan session on Monday, DPP Legislator Chen Chun-yu (陳俊宇) asked whether the new Navy command’s establishment would create conflicts with the Fleet Command or Coast Guard, per Liberty Times. Vice Chief of the General Staff Huang Chih-wei (黃志偉) said the Navy has clearly defined responsibilities between the two commands, and that personnel, equipment, and Coast Guard coordination are proceeding as planned.

Chen then raised Taiwan’s purchase of 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II missiles. He noted that 32 systems are due by the end of next year, and that some launchers and radar vehicles have already arrived for installation and training by the Hai Feng Shore-Based Anti-ship Missile Group.

Asked whether the first batch of Harpoon missiles could arrive before the command is established, Navy Chief of Staff Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said the first delivery is expected at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

Chiu said the command is to be established on Jan. 1, 2026, with force generation expected to take effect in July 2026, enabling the unit to obtain an initial critical combat capability.

Regarding whether the command will incorporate drones and unmanned surface vessels, Chiu said both will be included in the unit’s littoral-strike, multilayered-interception operational planning phase. Further details will be provided once specific plans and budgets are finalized, he said.