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.
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