While several US arms procurements are facing delays, 18 sets of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) are expected to arrive ahead of schedule by the end of next year, a Ministry of National Defense report showed.
The ministry is to brief the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee today on the progress of major procurement projects, including the HIMARS, F-16V Block 70 jets, AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons and Mark 48 heavy torpedoes.
The report, delivered to the legislature yesterday, said that the second batch of HIMARS was originally scheduled for delivery in 2027.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
Committee members have invited Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) to present the report and explain “the causes of delays in recent military projects and procurement programs, as well as the ministry’s proposed countermeasures.”
The HIMARS shipment is to include 18 launchers, 20 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) with a range of 300km, and 864 precision rockets with a range of 70km, according to budget documents.
The army last year received 11 HIMARS launchers and 64 ATACMS missiles in the first shipment, which are already operational, the ministry said.
Twenty-one other procurements, including TOW 2B anti-tank systems, are progressing normally, it said.
Deliveries of the TOW 2B and Phalanx close-in weapons systems have been completed, while other items are being shipped according to schedule, it added.
However, the purchase of 66 F-16V Block 70 jets has encountered significant delays, it said, adding that the jets were originally expected to be delivered by the end of next year, but supply chain disruptions and production line adjustments have slowed progress.
Since the first F-16V rolled off the production line in March, there have been no updates on subsequent aircraft, the report said, adding that the US manufacturer has adopted a two-shift, 20-hour work schedule to accelerate production.
Under the ministry’s NT$247.2 billion (US$8.04 billion) special budget, the air force is to acquire 66 of the upgraded jets from 2020 to next year. The jets are to be stationed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County and operate alongside F-16V Block 20 jets in Hualien County to strengthen Taiwan’s eastern air defense.
Deputy Minister of National Defense for Armaments Chung Shu-ming (鍾樹明) said he raised concerns about the delay with contractors during a meeting in the US on Oct. 22.
Because the F-16V purchase was made through the US Foreign Military Sales program, there is no compensation mechanism for late deliveries, unlike direct commercial sales, he said.
However, Taiwan plans to reserve part of its budget and request the return of any undue profits resulting from the manufacturer’s delay, Chung added.
The report said that the delivery of AGM-154C glide bombs intended for the F-16V Block 70s is also facing delays.
Taiwan opted for the newest configuration of the weapon, requiring the US to restart production, procure materials and reintegrate systems, pushing the delivery date back to 2027 and 2028.
The AGM-154C is a precision-guided glide bomb that can be mounted on F-16V aircraft. When launched from a high altitude, it can strike ground from a distance of up to 130km.
Washington approved the sale of the weapon to Taiwan in 2017 during US President Donald Trump’s first term. Deliveries were initially scheduled for 2023, later postponed to this year and next year before the latest delay.
The report also mentioned delays in the delivery of 24 Mark 48 heavy torpedoes and four training models. Originally slated for delivery between 2023 and next year under a NT$5.46 billion budget, the program has been pushed back to between next year and 2028 due to supply chain interruptions and the need to restart production lines.
The ministry said that despite the setbacks it continues to coordinate closely with US counterparts to ensure that all contracted equipment is delivered as soon as possible to bolster Taiwan’s defense.
NETWORK-MAPPING PROJECT: The database contains 170 detailed files of Taiwanese politicians and about 23 million records of household registration data in Taiwan China has developed a network-mapping project targeting political figures and parties in Taiwan to monitor public opinion during elections and to craft tailored influence campaigns aimed at dividing Taiwanese society, according to documents leaked by Chinese technology firm GoLaxy (中科天璣). The documents, collected by Taipei-based Doublethink Lab, showed a database was specifically created to gather detailed information on Taiwanese political figures, including their political affiliations, job histories, birthplaces, residences, education, religion and a brief biography about them. Several notable Taiwanese politicians are in the database, including President William Lai (賴清德), former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍),
KEY INDUSTRY: The vice premier discussed a plan to create a non-red drone supply chain by next year, which has been allocated a budget of more than NT$7.2 billion The government has budgeted NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) to cultivate Taiwan’s uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry over the next five years, which would make the nation a major player in the industry’s democratic supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday. Cho made the remarks during a visit to the facilities of Cub Elecparts Inc (為升電裝). Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝依鳳) also participated in the trip. Cub Elecparts has transitioned from the automotive industry to the defense industry, which is the top priority among the nation’s
UPGRADED MISSILE: The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is reportedly to conduct a live-fire test of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile on Thursday next week The US Army is planning to build new facilities to boost explosives production and strengthen its supply chain, a move aimed at addressing munitions shortages and supporting obligations to partners including Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel, Defense News reported. The army has issued a sources sought notice for a proposed Center of Excellence at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, the report said. The facility would serve as a hub within the US industrial base for the production of key military explosives, including research department explosives (RDX) and high melting explosives (HMX), while also supporting research and development of next-generation materials. The proposed
SOUTH KOREA DISPUTE: If Seoul continues to ignore its request, Taiwan would change South Korea’s designation on its arrival cards, the foreign ministry said If South Korea does not reply appropriately to a request to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, the government would take corresponding measures to change how South Korea is labeled on the online Taiwan Arrival Card system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. Taipei has asked Seoul to change the wording. Since March 1, South Koreans who hold government-issued Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) have been identified as from “South Korea” rather than the “Republic of Korea,” the
RSS