Supply Delays Due to Crowded Production Lines
After being notified by Washington of delays to delivery of the 40 M109A6 Paladin SPH on order, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on 2 May it is evaluating alternatives to meet an outstanding requirement for a long-range, precision-strike capability.
According to the ministry, the procurement being affected by “crowded” production lines. It will submit a new budget proposal to the Legislative Yuan once evaluations alternatives have been completed. The state-owned Central News Agency (CNA) reported that same day that Washington has already proposed the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) as a potential alternative. The US already approved a potential sale of 11 HIMARS launchers to Taiwan in October 2020.
According to the news agency, the Republic of China Army (RoCA) originally expected to receive the first eight Paladins next year, then 16 each in 2024 and 2025. However, Washington recently informed the MND that it will not be able to deliver the first batch until 2026 at the earliest, due to an excess of orders. Their acquisition was expected to supplement, and eventually replace, the M109A2s and M109A5s currently in service. The US State Department approved a $750 million Foreign Military Sales in 2021 for 40 Paladins and 20 M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles (FAASVs), with related equipment and services.
Meanwhile, Taiwan News reported on 3 May that delivery of up to 250 Block I -92F MANPAD Stinger missiles might also be delayed beyond 2026. Taipei also indicated that it has abandoned plans two procure MH-60R ASW-capable helicopters from the US due to their high price. Reuters quoted Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng as saying in parliament: “The price is too high, beyond the scope of our country’s ability.“
