Taiwan’s deal to buy US Volcano landmine systems sparks controversy over safety risk and international drive for ban
- Some critics have expressed concern that the US$141 million deal heralds a change to a long-standing strategy of fighting decisive battles away from the island
- But supporters say the Volcano System would only be deployed in the event of an attack from the Chinese mainland and will act as a deterrent
It has also raised concern that using the mines in Taiwan would contradict the military’s strategy of trying to fight decisive battles outside the island to reduce the amount of destruction caused on land.
The island’s defence ministry announced last week the signing of a deal with the US to buy the Volcano Vehicle-Launched Scatterable Mine Systems.
Under the deal, the weapons will be delivered by the end of 2029, according to a government procurement notice made public last Thursday.
It follows the US State Department’s approval in late December of a US$180 million arms package for Taiwan, including Volcano mine systems and the trucks on which they would be mounted.
The deal also includes dummy munitions for training, as well as logistics support and maintenance evaluations.