TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Military officials said on Saturday that all TOW 2B and Javelin anti-armor missiles Taiwan purchased from the US have been received and distributed to operational units.
Taiwan’s military procured 1,700 TOW 2B anti-armor missiles and 400 Javelin anti-armor missiles. However, evaluations conducted during the Han Kuang exercises concluded that Taiwan still lacks sufficient quantities of anti-armor missiles, according to Liberty Times.
US advisory teams recommended that Taiwan increase its combat readiness and anti-armor weapons stockpiles, leading the military to include additional purchases of both missile systems in the recently approved special defense budget, per Liberty Times.
Taiwan plans to procure 24 additional TOW launchers and 1,545 missiles, with deliveries expected to begin in 2029. Combined with the original purchase, Taiwan will eventually possess 124 launchers and 3,245 TOW missiles.
The TOW 2B missile features radio-frequency guidance and top-attack capability. It has a maximum effective range of 4,500 meters.
Unlike older variants that relied on wire guidance, the TOW 2B can more effectively destroy enemy armored vehicles, bunkers, amphibious assault vehicles, and landing ships, Liberty Times said.
Taiwan will also purchase 70 additional Javelin launchers and 1,050 missiles, with deliveries scheduled for 2031. Combined with the earlier purchase, Taiwan will have 112 Javelin launchers and 1,450 missiles altogether.
The Javelin missile is the world’s first mass-produced “fire-and-forget” light infantry anti-armor missile, per Liberty Times. It has a high-angle top-attack capability and does not need guidance wires to operate.
The system can be carried and fired by individual soldiers, allowing them to seek cover after launch.
