Taiwan howitzers delayed, ‘crowded out’ of US production lines
- First batch of 40 mid-range artillery systems due this year will not arrive at the island until 2026, defence ministry reveals
- Local reports lay blame on war in Ukraine for delayed delivery of first weapons approved for sale to the island by Joe Biden administration
The ministry said on Monday it had been notified that next year’s expected delivery of howitzer artillery systems would be delayed until 2026. “The production line is crowded out,” it said.
“We have cooperated with the United States to research and develop advanced alternatives to meet actual operational needs,” the ministry said, adding it would continue to communicate with the US on the issue.
Taiwan’s United Daily News reported on Monday that some lawmakers had been told by the defence ministry that the US could not supply the first batch of the promised 40 howitzer systems because of the war in Ukraine.
The 155mm M109A6 medium self-propelled howitzer artillery systems can fire eight projectiles a minute at a range of 30km (18 miles). They are part of a US$750 million arms deal approved in August by the US State Department.
According to the Pentagon, the package includes 1,698 precision guidance kits for munitions, as well as spares, training, ground stations and upgrades for the island’s previous generation howitzers.