Cruise Missile
RGM/AGM-84 Harpoon
The RGM/AGM-84 Harpoon is an all-weather anti-ship missile made by Boeing (originally McDonnell Douglas) in the United States, in service since 1977. More than 7,500 have been built, and over 30 countries have used it from ships, submarines and aircraft.
United States|Boeing (McDonnell Douglas)What Is the RGM/AGM-84 Harpoon? Overview, History and Development
Development began in 1965, after Soviet-built Komar-class missile boats sank the Israeli destroyer INS Eilat in 1967. The first test came in 1972 and US Navy service in 1977. The Harpoon flies subsonic at about Mach 0.85, skims the sea and uses an active radar seeker with a 221 kg penetration blast warhead. It weighs 526 kg air-launched and about 691 kg with a booster, and is 3.8 m or about 4.6 m long.
Range depends on the block: about 124 km for Block 1C, 150–240 km for Block II and 240–280 km for Block II+ ER, with figures varying by source. Block II added GPS/INS and land-attack ability, and the SLAM-ER is a land-attack derivative. Combat use includes the 1986 Gulf of Sidra clashes and Operation Praying Mantis in 1988. Ukraine received Harpoons from Denmark and the Netherlands in 2022. The US Navy is shifting to NSM and LRASM, and the Royal Navy retired it in the early 2020s.
RGM/AGM-84 Harpoon Specifications: Range, Speed, Warhead and Guidance
RGM/AGM-84 Harpoon Variants and Versions Compared
The earlier version with a range of about 124 km, built for ship, submarine and air launch.
An upgraded version with GPS/INS navigation, land-attack ability and a range of roughly 150–240 km.
An extended-range version with a range of about 240–280 km, according to figures that differ by source.
Which Countries Use the RGM/AGM-84 Harpoon? Operators and Users
United States
Australia
Canada
Germany
Denmark
Egypt
Greece
Indonesia
India
Japan
South Korea
Netherlands
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Spain
Thailand
Türkiye
Taiwan
BahrainRGM/AGM-84 Harpoon FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does a Harpoon missile cost?
A Harpoon missile costs about 1.5 million US dollars in older sources, and later versions such as the Block II+ ER cost more. Prices are not firmly published and vary by contract.
What is the range of the Harpoon missile?
The Harpoon has a range of about 124 km for Block 1C, 150–240 km for Block II and 240–280 km for Block II+ ER. Figures vary by source, and the missile flies at about Mach 0.85.
Which countries use the Harpoon?
The Harpoon is used by more than 30 countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Türkiye, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. Ukraine also received coastal batteries.
Harpoon vs Exocet: which is better?
The Harpoon and the Exocet are similar subsonic sea-skimming missiles: Harpoon has a larger 221 kg warhead against 165 kg for Exocet, and in newer blocks a longer range. Exocet has a stronger record from the Falklands War.
Is the Harpoon stealth?
The Harpoon is not stealth. It is a subsonic missile, but sea-skimming flight and a small radar cross-section make it hard to detect, so it is not a low-observable design like the NSM.
Does Türkiye still use the Harpoon?
Türkiye has used the Harpoon for decades, and its navy continues to operate it. The domestic ATMACA is replacing it on newer frigates and corvettes, while Greece also operates Harpoon.