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!
Taiwanese, US Companies Partner on VTOL Drones
In a flight demonstration on Thursday at Budai Harbor in Chiayi County, Taiwanese drone manufacturer Taiwan Color Light Technology and US manufacturer Edge Autonomy announced a partnership on a VTOL drone for search and rescue and reconnaissance. The Penguin C MK2.5 has a range of up to 1,500 km and a lifespan of 12 hours, and via licensing, will be produced in Taiwan.
F-16 Dual Bomb Racks Delivered to Taiwan
The ongoing project to upgrade Taiwan’s F-16A/Bs has accelerated with footage of BRU-57/A smart dual ejector bomb racks being tested on F-16s this week, per the “IDF Ching-Kuo” fan page. These racks, combined with the AN/ALQ-33 Sniper targeting pod, are used to deliver AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons, which are a delayed sale, per recent MND reports.
Minister Koo Responds to Rumors of MQ-9 PDA Sale
At an LY hearing on Monday relating to procurement policy, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo denied reporting that the Biden administration planned to give Taiwan MQ-9B drones via Presidential Drawdown Authority. Koo stated that the MND could not provide specific details, but the sale of MQ-9s was planned and was never a donation.
MND Responds to LY Inquiry About RDX Procurement
On Monday, Minister Koo provided a briefing to the LY’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee on a recent contract award for RDX sea-clearing explosives, amid KMT opposition concerns about the selected contractor. Koo stated that the contractor, the “Fumai International Interior Decoration Co.” was selected to prevent cross-border import concerns. In response to the briefing, the committee passed several proposals relating to import documents and cost.
Weekly Awards: Oshkosh Services, Grenade Fuses
•On Thursday, the Air Force Command awarded a NT$130.72 million (US$4.15 million) for Oshkosh special vehicle maintenance servicing.
•On Wednesday, the Army Command, via the ROC Military Mission to the United States, awarded a NT$860.75 million (US$27.31 million) contract through the AIT for practice grenade fuses.
SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System
