Author: Joe O’Connor
Contributing Researchers: Sean Dilallo, Reed Bishop, and Joseph Krasnowski
See this week’s Taiwan Arms Tracker update, covering news relating to arms sales, indigenous production, and defense procurement in Taiwan, all below!
Minister Koo Testifies on Porcupine Act, Abrams Tanks
In an LY hearing on Thursday, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo noted that Taiwan’s Defense Innovation Organization has already begun talks with the U.S.’s Defense Innovation Unit, as well as the recent passage of the Porcupine Act by a U.S. Senate committee. Koo also confirmed that Taiwan’s first Abrams tank battalion will be activated on October 31.
ROCAF Officers to Supervise NASAMS Production in US
Public documents released on Saturday indicates that Taiwan’s Air Force will send 2 personnel starting in 2026 to supervise NASAMS production at US facilities. 6 personnel will also attend a weeklong project management conference to review the roadmap. Taiwan is planning to acquire 3 units, alongside Sentinel radars, and AMRAAM missiles as part of the buy.
F-16 Delays Continue: MND and Premier Statements
In a statement on Tuesday, the MND explained significant delays in F-16 procurement as impacts from post-COVID supply-chain disruptions and noted increased production efficiency by manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Premier Cho Jung-tai also stated that the MND must review and revise payment schedules to prevent early payment before delivery.
Weekly Awards: ACTIS, Thunderbolt 2000 Maintenance
•The Air Force Aviation Technology Research and Development Center awarded a NT$689.65 million (US$22.57 million) maintenance contract for the Air Combat Training Instrumentation System (ACTIS), a simulator pod to be used on aircraft.
•The Army Logistics Command awarded a $113.72 million (US$3.71 million) contract for follow-on maintenance of Thunderbolt 2000 MLRS systems.
SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System
Weekly Tenders: Airport Fire Trucks, C-130 Servicing
•The Air Force Command is soliciting bids for 3,000-gallon capacity airport fire trucks, likely for Tainan Air Base, worth NT$997.20 million (US$32.56 million).
•The Air Force Command also solicited bids for C-130 aircraft maintenance and alert hangar construction, worth NT$128.48 million (US$4.19 million)
SOURCE: Taiwanese Government E-Procurement System
