Author: Joseph O'Connor

ROCN Awards Ship Parts Contract to US via AIT

On Thursday, the MND, on behalf of the Navy Command, awarded a NT$1.57 billion (US$50.1 million) contract to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for procurement of “ship parts and accessories.” While awarded to the AIT, this contract is likely for several US companies. The Navy is currently executing several performance upgrade programs of its Kang Ding-class and Cheng Kung-class frigates.

SOURCE: Chen Chih-cheng, Liberty Times

Minister Koo Announces Consolidation of Sales with AIT

In a press conference before testifying to the LY Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, Minister Wellington Koo stated that the MND is working with the AIT to consolidate nine FMS requests under the NT$1.25 trillion special budget and the 2026 regular budget. Koo did not disclose details on specific sales, pending US congressional notification, but it is suspected that Patriot PAC-3 missiles will be included.

SOURCE: Huang Jingxuan, Liberty Times

Opposition Blocks Special Budget from LY Agenda

On Tuesday, KMT and TPP legislators in the LY’s Procedure Committee blocked the NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget bill from being placed on the LY’s agenda. KMT caucus whip Fu-Kun-chi stated after that President Lai should appear before the LY and justify the necessity of the budget. Premier Cho Jung-tai later stated that compelling Lai to appear was unconstitutional, violating the separation of powers.

SOURCE: Liu Kuan-ting, Lin Chin-yin, Lai Yu-chen & Wu Kuan-hsien, CNA

Air Force Provides F-16 Production Update

Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan stated in a Monday LY hearing that flight testing of F-16s will begin this month in the United States. Lee added that 54 aircraft are currently being assembled, and the Air Force expects that 10 of them will be complete by the end of the year. After flight testing, the jets will be delivered to Taiwan.

SOURCE: Wu Zhe-yu, Liberty Times

Weekly Awards and Solicitations: Drydock Repair, Supply Services

•On Tuesday, the Magong Logistics Support Command, Naval Maintenance Command solicited bids for dry dock refurbishment in Magong, Penghu, worth NT$48.24 million (US$1.54 million).

•Also, on Tuesday, the Army Command solicited bids for commissioned supply transport to Kinmen and Matsu using passenger ferries, worth NT$57.49 million (US$1.84 million).

SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System

Altius-600M Drones Used in Live-Fire Exercise

Last Wednesday, the first live-fire exercises of Altius 600M drones took place at the Army’s UAV Training Center, being observed by Minister of Defense Wellington Koo. The drones, produced by the US defense company Anduril, represent the culmination of a sale announced in June 2024 and increased integration of UAVs into the Taiwanese military.

SOURCE: Fang Wei-li, Liberty Times

Govt to Spend NT$10 Billion on cUAS with NCSIST Assistance

With assistance from the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the Taiwanese government will invest NT$10 billion into counter-unmanned aerial systems (cUAS) technology. While not known on specifics, NCSIST will assist with an industry briefing, specifically on procuring bomb-dropping drones, loitering munitions, and coastal surveillance UAVs.

SOURCE: Tu Ju-min, Liberty Times

Lai Announces Special Budget, Writes Op-Ed in WaPo

In a public speech on Tuesday, President Lai Ching-te officially announced a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) for “strengthening defense resilience and asymmetric capabilities.” In an opinion piece in the Washington Post also published Tuesday, Lai stated that the “T-Dome” air defense system and drone development will be included in the budget.

SOURCE: Luo Tian-bin, Liberty Times, & Lai Ching-te, Washington Post

MND Announces New 155mm Shell Production Plan

On the heels of Tuesday’s announcement of a special defense budget, Minister of Defense Wellington Koo announced that NT$14 billion (US$447 million) from that budget will be invested in an automated production line at Factory 202 for 155mm artillery shells and 120mm tank ammunition. This, among other initiatives, is part of a budget objective to “enhance armament production capacity.”

SOURCE: Wu Zheyu, Liberty Times

Weekly Awards & Solicitations: Aircraft Maintenance, Parts

•On Monday, the Air Force Command awarded a NT$285.76 million (US$9.11 million) contract for maintenance of commercial aircraft, including the presidential aircraft.

•Also, on Monday, the Ministry of National Defense solicited bids for RDX minesweeping and maritime clearance items, worth NT$824.67 million (US$26.30 million).

•On Tuesday, the Air Force Command issued a request for information for parts for E-2T and P-3C aircraft, as well as EC-225 Super Puma helicopters.

SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System

FMS Sale Notified: F-16, C-130, IDF Spare Parts

Today, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a new possible sale to Taiwan worth US$330 million (NT$10.28 billion) for non-standard spare parts for use in F-16, C-130, and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft. The last FMS sale to Taiwan was in December 2024 (329 days ago), of Mk 75 76-mm gun mounts.

SOURCE: Reuters and Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Taiwan Lacks Abrams Battlefield Management System

On Thursday, LY Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee chairperson Wang Dingyu revealed that the Army did not purchase the US-made Battlefield Management System (BMS) for use in the Abrams. This has forced commanders to use voice commands as well as the complete retraining of tank crews, until a suitable alternative can be developed.

SOURCE: Fang Wei-li, Liberty Times

Pentagon Approves Contract for Production of NASAMS

On Monday, the U.S. Army awarded a $698.95 million (NT$21.8 billion) contract to Raytheon to produce NASAMS fire units for Taiwan. The contract forms part of a $1.16 billion FMS case approved in October 2024, which is currently backlogged. According to the announcement, work is expected to be completed by spring 2031.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Defense

Army Requests Information on FPV Drones, Netting

On Monday, the Army made requests for information (RFIs) on several potential purchases:

•Drone protective netting (3,170), made of nylon and 6 x 30 m.

•FPV night-vision drones (370), between 7-10 inches wide, less than 1 kg, must not use parts from China, and must be subject to inspection.

SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System

Weekly Awards & Tenders: Ammunition, Netting

•On Friday, the Armaments Bureau solicited bids for a first tranche of 7.62-mm and 5.56-mm blank cartridges, as well as 5.56-mm and 9-mm bullets, worth NT$1.51 billion (US$48.37 million).

•Also, on Friday, the Air Force Maintenance Command solicited bids for camouflage netting, worth NT$34.26 million (US$1.10 million).

SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System

ROCAF Provides MQ-9B Delivery Update to LY

In an LY hearing on Thursday, Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Lee Ching-jan stated that the first 2 aircraft are expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2026. In response to questions from KMT lawmakers, Lee reported that US end-user restrictions do not apply to telemetry and intelligence data collected by the drones, with data going to Taiwanese ground stations at Chiayi and Hualien Air Bases.

SOURCE: Fang Wei-li, Liberty Times

Mk 48 Torpedo and MS-110 Delivery Updates

After last week’s LY delay report, Navy Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Chiu Chun-jung clarified that the delivery timeline of Mk 48 torpedoes has slipped from 2026 to 2028 and that closeout has slipped to 2030. Maj. Gen. Huang Wen-chi, Director of the MND Strategic Planning Department, also stated that delivery of 6 MS-110 reconnaissance pods will begin in batches before the end of the year.

SOURCE: Liu Yujie, China Times

ROCN Announces Missile and Munitions Storage Plan

In its recent military investment budget, the ROCN has allocated NT$9.88 billion (US$639.66 million) for 2026-2029 for munition storage construction and renovation, via dispersed stockpiles and prepositioning. Only NT$30.97 million (US$1.0 million) will be appropriated for 2026, while the majority will be spent on construction during 2027-29.

SOURCE: Tu Ju-min, Liberty Times

First Batch of PAC-3 MSE Expected by End of Year

As a part of the proposed “T-Dome” air defense network announced by the Lai administration, it was announced Tuesday that batches of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) will begin arriving in Taiwan by the end of this year, with completion in 2027. The MND is budgeting in the future for an additional 4 Patriot systems and more than 500 more PAC-3 MSEs to supplement.

SOURCE: Tu Ju-min, Liberty Times

MND Considers C-130 Purchase over Maintenance

Reports Sunday indicated that the Air Force Command has decided to procure 10 C-130J transport aircraft instead of continuing a scheduled performance upgrade program for 20 active C-130Hs. The upgrade program, worth NT$13.6 billion (US$440 million), included major engine replacement, making it more expensive. The proposed sale has not been submitted to the US but will likely face delays.

SOURCE: Lo Tien-bin, Liberty Times

HIMARS Reportedly Ahead of Schedule

On Monday, a report submitted to the Legislative Yuan revealed the status of several arms deliveries, including delays on F-16s and AGM-154Cs. However, the second tranche of HIMARS systems, including 18 launchers, 20 ATACMS missiles, and 864 rockets, are expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2026, instead of 2027.

SOURCE: Tu Ju-min, Liberty Times

AGM-154C JSOWs Reportedly Further Delayed

The same report to the LY on Monday reported that AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) deliveries will be delayed to 2027 or 2028. Originally approved in 2017 and planned for 2023, the JSOWs have been delayed because Taiwan opted for the newest configuration and production had to be restarted. A similar issue has plagued production and delivery of Mk 48 torpedoes, the report also indicated.

SOURCE: Tu Ju-min, Liberty Times

MND Releases CUAS Procurement Disclosure Info

On Monday, the MND released a public-review notice for procurement of 635 “portable counter-UAV systems,” worth NT$9.67 billion (US$313.1 million). Units will be spread among the Army, Navy, Air Force, and information/electronic warfare units. This procurement will be funded via the 2026-28 special resilience budget, and the notice was not a formal tender for bids, instead published for feedback purposes.

SOURCE: Tu Ju-min, Liberty Times

Minister Koo Testifies on Porcupine Act, Abrams Tanks

In an LY hearing on Thursday, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo noted that Taiwan’s Defense Innovation Organization has already begun talks with the U.S.’s Defense Innovation Unit, as well as the recent passage of the Porcupine Act by a U.S. Senate committee. Koo also confirmed that Taiwan’s first Abrams tank battalion will be activated on October 31.

SOURCE: Fang Wei-li & Chen Chih-cheng, Liberty Times

ROCAF Officers to Supervise NASAMS Production in US

Public documents released on Saturday indicates that Taiwan’s Air Force will send 2 personnel starting in 2026 to supervise NASAMS production at US facilities. 6 personnel will also attend a weeklong project management conference to review the roadmap. Taiwan is planning to acquire 3 units, alongside Sentinel radars, and AMRAAM missiles as part of the buy.

SOURCE: Lo Tien-pin, Liberty Times

F-16 Delays Continue: MND and Premier Statements

In a statement on Tuesday, the MND explained significant delays in F-16 procurement as impacts from post-COVID supply-chain disruptions and noted increased production efficiency by manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Premier Cho Jung-tai also stated that the MND must review and revise payment schedules to prevent early payment before delivery.

SOURCE: Fang Wei-li, Liberty Times

Weekly Awards: ACTIS, Thunderbolt 2000 Maintenance

•The Air Force Aviation Technology Research and Development Center awarded a NT$689.65 million (US$22.57 million) maintenance contract for the Air Combat Training Instrumentation System (ACTIS), a simulator pod to be used on aircraft.

•The Army Logistics Command awarded a $113.72 million (US$3.71 million) contract for follow-on maintenance of Thunderbolt 2000 MLRS systems.

SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System

Weekly Tenders: Airport Fire Trucks, C-130 Servicing

•The Air Force Command is soliciting bids for 3,000-gallon capacity airport fire trucks, likely for Tainan Air Base, worth NT$997.20 million (US$32.56 million).

•The Air Force Command also solicited bids for C-130 aircraft maintenance and alert hangar construction, worth NT$128.48 million (US$4.19 million)

SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System

Cabinet Approves Drone Development Program

On Thursday, the Executive Yuan approved a proposal for indigenous production of drones, worth NT$44.2 billion (US$1.4 billion). Procurement will be funded via the ”special resilience budget” that is under Legislative Yuan consideration. Notably, about 100,000 drones will be purchased under the program, of which 48,750 would be for national defense.

SOURCE: Chung Li-Hua & Hollie Younger, Taipei Times

ROCAF Solicits Bids for Anti-Drone Netting

On October 13, the Air Force Command Headquarters issued a preliminary inquiry for anti-drone equipment, including bird netting, tent pegs, and bamboo. The nets and other equipment will be deployed around Chiayi Air Base, where F-16V fighters are located. Similar nets are currently used in Ukraine to protect against first-person-view (FPV) drones.

SOURCE: Tu Ju-Min, Liberty Times

Harpoon Coastal Defense System Delivery Updates

On Monday, Navy Chief of Staff, Vice Adm. Chiu Chun-jung provided an update to the LY on delivery of the Harpoon Coastal Defense System. As previously reported in September, Taiwan is expected to receive the first batch of Harpoon missiles (approximately ~20) for their existing 5 launchers by January 1, 2026. The new Littoral Combatant Command, under which the Harpoons will be based, will also be launched that day, per Chiu.

SOURCE: Matt Yu & Sean Lin, CNA

DIO Procures Tethered Drones, Stinger Simulators

The MND’s Defense Innovation Office (DIO) has announced its plans to acquire tethered drones, as well as Stinger missile simulators via small-lot procurement and evaluation. Tethered drones are meant to provide continuous data-linking and power over a fixed location. All procurements are expected to take place in 2026.

SOURCE: Chen Chih-cheng, Liberty Times

F-16 Block 70 and Brave Eagle Delivery Updates

During an LY hearing on Monday, Air Force Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Lee Ching-jan said that the “risk assessment is quite high” that delivery of the F-16V Block 70 fighters will be delayed until the end of 2026. He also said that funds to pay for the aircraft would be reserved from the Air Force’s budget. On Wednesday, it was also reported that 49 Brave Eagle advanced trainer jets were delivered by September 2025, with the remainder expected by 2026.

SOURCE: Lo Tien-pin & Chen Chih-cheng, Liberty Times