Authors: Joe O’Connor, Shikhar Chaturvedi, Danielle Kremer, and Wyeth Lindberg
This week: MND announces that NASAMS will be deployed to current SHORAD units, a status update on last Abrams tank deliveries emerged, the MND released a policy document with details about naval, wheeled vehicle, and missile procurement, and the Air Force expressed interest in buying new early warning aircraft, alongside weekly awards and solicitations.
NASAMS To Be Given to Antelope, 20mm AD Units
As part of Taiwan’s ongoing air defense modernization, the MND announced this week that US-sold National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) medium-range air defense batteries will replace Antelope and 20-mm short-range capabilities currently used by air-defense units. Per our Taiwan Arms Sales Backlog, this case remains in progress since its notification in November 2024, though a recent US$698.95 million (NT$21.8 billion) U.S. Army production contract awarded to Raytheon for the first three NASAMS fire units signals the beginning of the manufacturing phase, with completion expected by 2031.
Last Tranche of Abrams Tanks to Arrive by March
Taiwan’s MND reported that it would receive its final batch of 28 M1A2T Abrams tanks by March of this year, confirming an MND report to the LY submitted in May 2025. This will be the third batch of Abrams, originally approved in July 2019 sent from the United States to the Taiwanese Army. The first batch of 38 tanks arrived in December 2024, being commissioned in October 2025; and the second batch, sent in July 2025, is still awaiting commissioning; totaling 108 tanks. The sale, which remains backlogged until delivery is confirmed, is worth $1.28 billion USD (NT$40.52 billion).
MND Releases Procurement Policy Document
On Friday, the MND released their “List of Regulated Military Products for the Second Half of 2025,” a policy document outlining controlled procurement items and timelines for future projects, including naval vessels, wheeled vehicles, and indigenous missile programs.
Most importantly, the Navy listed plans to procure several classes of vessels, including five next-generation light anti-air frigates, five light anti-submarine frigates, two rescue ships, one submarine rescue ship, one new Yushan-class dock landing ship, and one oil/ammunition replenishment ship. These projects have a total estimated cost of NT$315 billion (US$9.97 billion) and are expected to be built between 2027 and 2040.
The MND also announced plans to produce 500 additional Clouded Leopard infantry fighting vehicle variants equipped with 105mm cannons, alongside 468 “reconnaissance and tactical wheeled vehicles,” beginning in 2028. Lastly, the list announced plans to procure 2 launchers and 128 missiles for the Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile defense system, still under development and part of the proposed “T-Dome” air defense system.
Air Force Briefed by L3Harris on AEW Aircraft Buy
Per UpMedia, the Air Force Command recently received a briefing from American defense contractor L3Harris on options for commercial procurement of early-warning aircraft. This comes after repeated requests for procurement of E-2D Hawkeye aircraft and MH-60R Black Hawk anti-submarine helicopters were blocked by the United States, and the Air Force’s desire to upgrade aging early warning airframes. L3Harris is the primary manufacturer of the EA-37B Compass Call aircraft, a modified Gulfstream G550 business jet that has recently been commercially sold to other US allies, including Italy.
Weekly Awards/Solicitations
Last Thursday, the Naval Command awarded Van Halteren Technologies a NT$756.06 million (US$23.89 million) open-ended contract for naval “drive and control” spare parts. The contract will be fulfilled throughout the southern region of Taiwan, including Kaohsiung.
Also on Thursday, the Air Force Command awarded a NT$589.83 million (US$18.64 million) contract to Rheinmetall Italia SPA for maintenance of aircraft training simulator systems. This contract is to be fulfilled throughout the southern region of Taiwan.
On Friday, the Naval Command’s Magong Logistics Support Command made a repeat bid solicitation for the renovation of Magong Naval Base’s mobilization depot, worth NT$49.00 million (US$1.55 million).
On Monday, the Army Logistics Command solicited bids for rifle magazine bags, worth NT$32.48 million (US$1.03 million).
On Wednesday, the Air Force Command solicited bids for a high-voltage power supply renovation turnkey project at Tainan Air Base, part of Tainan Airport, worth NT$402.67 million (US$12.75 million).