Author: Joe O’Connor
See this week’s Taiwan Arms Tracker update, covering news relating to arms sales, indigenous production, and defense procurement in Taiwan, all below!
MND Monthly Report on Arms Deliveries Published
On Friday, the MND submitted its monthly report to the LY on the status of US arms sale cases to Taiwan, noting that 80 M1A2 Abrams tanks have been delivered and reiterating that HIMARS systems will be delivered by 2026. The report again identified F-16V Block 70, Mk 48 torpedoes, and AGM-154C JSOW bombs as delayed, indicating that their status has not changed since November’s report.
US NDAA Text Released with Provisions on Taiwan
On Sunday, House and Senate committees released their final text of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2026. Included in this NDAA is a modification and authorization of US$1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, a joint uncrewed aerial systems program, and joint US-Taiwanese coast guard training, and many reporting requirements on planning for a Taiwan contingency.
Navy Solicits RFI for Unmanned Surface Vessels
On Monday, Naval Command issued a request for information on suicide unmanned surface vessels (USVs), as well as guidance and control modules, portable control stations, and C2 vehicles. While the quantity was not specified, it is thought that the Navy could procure as many as 1,500 USVs. This procurement will likely fall under the NT$1.25 trillion special budget announced recently.
LY Budget Report Reveals Delays with F-16 Munitions
The LY’s Budget Center released an evaluation report recently, indicating that the nine-year budget for F-16 munitions procurement has been delayed by a lack of approval from US authorities. The nine-year budget, planned to run from 2022 to 2030, was allocated without some sales having been approved, and as of June 2025, some sales had still not been approved.
Weekly Awards & Solicitations: RDX, C-130 Upgrades
•On Friday, the Air Force Command solicited requests for information for upgrades of seat-platform and cabin modules for C-130 aircraft.
•On Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense awarded a NT$593.76 million (US$19.10 million) for “RDX minesweeping / maritime clearance.”
SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System
