WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2015 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States for MK 15 Phalanx Block 1B Baseline 2 Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) Guns, Upgrade Kits, Ammunition, and Support. The estimated cost is $416 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States has requested a possible sale of:
Thirteen (13) MK 15 Phalanx Block 1B Baseline 2 Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) Guns
Eight (8) CIWS Block 1 Baseline 0 to Block 1B Baseline 2 upgrade kits
Two-hundred and sixty thousand (260,000) Rounds of 20mm MK 244 MOD 0 Armor-Piercing Discarding
Sabots (APDS)
Also included in this possible sale are: 20mm dummy rounds; spares to support the installation, maintenance and operation of the MK 15 Phalanx Block 1B Baseline 2 systems; classified and unclassified publications; software; training; technical assistance; installations; other technical assistance; and logistical support. The estimated cost is $416 million.
This sale is consistent with United States law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8.
This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.
The proposed sale will improve the recipient’s capability in current and future defensive efforts. 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.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company in Tucson, Arizona. The purchaser has requested an offset of forty percent. At this time, agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale should not require the permanent assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives outside the United States.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.
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