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!
US Approves Arms Sales to Taiwan Worth US$11 Billion
Last Wednesday, the US State Department and Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of eight new arms sales to Taiwan worth US$11.1 billion (NT$346.6 billion). These sales include additional HIMARS systems, M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, ALTIUS unmanned systems, Javelin and TOW missiles, and a Tactical Mission Network for Taiwan.
SOURCE: Tu Yu-Min, Liberty Times & Defense Security Cooperation Agency
First F-16 Block 70 Sighted Taxiing in US
On Saturday, a U.S. planespotter caught images of the first Taiwanese F-16 Block 70 fighter undergoing taxiing tests at its production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The ROCAF confirmed to CNA that F-16 testing is on schedule and according to plan. On December 1, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan stated to the LY that 54 airframes have entered the production line so far.
Additional Paladin Purchases Planned: Announcement
Amidst recent announcements of a sale to Taiwan of 60 M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, an unnamed senior military official confirmed to Liberty Times that a second phase of 60 Paladins will be procured via Taiwan’s annual defense budget, depending upon the progress of the first tranche of Paladins. The official also stated that the first tranche of Paladins will be paid for via the proposed NT$1.25 trillion special budget.
Talks Ongoing For Buy of PAC-3 MSE, 4 Patriots
“Informed sources” also confirmed to Liberty Times of ongoing Taiwanese-US talks to purchase 4 additional MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems, as well as 500 PAC-3 MSE missiles, and Integrated Battlefield Command System (IBCS) sets, likely in preparation for the standing up of a fourth Patriot air defense battalion. A sale of 100 PAC-3 MSE missiles was approved in December 2022 and is ongoing.
Weekly Awards & Solicitations: Facilities Services, Shipping
•On Friday, the Navy’s Zuoying Logistics Support Command solicited two separate bids for refurbishment and construction of shore support/auxiliary facilities at Zuoying Naval Base, both worth NT$49.5 million (US$1.57 million) each, for a total of NT$99.0 million (US$3.14 million).
•On Monday, the MND awarded a NT$347.26 million (US$11.04 million) contract for overseas shipping services of military supplies.
SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-procurement System
