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!
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.
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.
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.
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
