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US Approves Major Arms Sale to Taiwan Including Advanced Howitzers, HIMARS Systems

So, Taiwan is set to receive these advanced U.S.-made M109A7 howitzers, which an expert says will really boost their artillery's mobility, precision, and firepower. Apparently, these howitzers can fire within just 60 seconds of an order, which is a huge deal for survival on the battlefield. Once they add a Precision Guidance Kit, the shells can hit within 30 meters

Key Points: US Approves $4 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan with M109A7 Howitzers, HIMARS | ANI

  • US DSCA notifies Congress of potential $4.05 billion arms sale to Taiwan
  • Taiwan's Foreign Minister thanks US for commitment to island's self-defence
  • Expert says M109A7 howitzers will modernise Taiwan's artillery with greater mobility and precision
  • Sale includes HIMARS systems, ATACMS missiles, and various support equipment
  • Five major weapons systems are covered under a special Taiwanese defence budget pending review
4 min read

US-made M109A7 howitzers to improve mobility, precision of Taiwan's artillery: Expert

The US DSCA has notified Congress of a potential $4.05 billion arms sale to Taiwan, featuring M109A7 howitzers and HIMARS, aimed at enhancing the island's self-defence artillery capabilities and regional security.

"The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. - US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)"

Taipei, December 22

With the upcoming addition of American made M109A7 howitzers to Taiwan, an expert noted that it will boost Taiwan's artillery with higher mobility, better precision and more firepower, as reported by Focus Taiwan.

With the upcoming addition of American made M109A7 howitzers to Taiwan, an expert noted that it will boost Taiwan's artillery with higher mobility, better precision and more firepower, as reported by Focus Taiwan.

Shu Hsiao-huang, an associate research fellow at Taiwan's military-funded Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR), said the M109A7 howitzers will play a crucial role in modernising Taiwan's artillery capabilities, Focus Taiwan reported.

Focus Taiwan reported, citing Shu, that the M109A7 is able to fire within 60 seconds after receiving an order to do so, which is thus expected to significantly increase the howitzer's survival rate on the battlefield.

Once equipped with a Precision Guidance Kit (PGK), the M109A7's artillery projectile will be able to hit within 30 meters of the target at any range. The PGK will thus add precision guidance to munitions, thereby enabling Taiwan's military to engage targets with greater efficiency, he said.

US President Donald Trump's administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than USD 10 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, according to the State Department.

The potential sale of eight arms packages to Taiwan, include HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank missiles, and drones, at an estimated total cost of US$11.1 billion, Focus Taiwan stated.

Five of the eight arms packages -- the M109A7 howitzers, HIMARS rocket systems, TOW 2B anti-tank missiles, anti-armor drones, and FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles -- are covered in an NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.85 billion) special defence budget put forth last month by the Taiwan government, pending lawmakers' review, the Taiwanese news outlet said quoting the country's Defence Ministry.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Wednesday (local time) made the announcement and said it has delivered the required certifications notifying Congress of the sales, following approval by the US State Department.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanked Washington for the proposed arms sale, saying that it demonstrates the US's commitment to enhancing Taiwan's self-defence capabilities, as highlighted in the National Security Strategy Washington released earlier this month.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.05 billion," the DSCA said in a statement.

It further added, "The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region."

TECRO has requested to buy 82 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 420 M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS); 756 M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System-Unitary pods (GMLRS-U); 447 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System-Alternative Warhead pods (GMLRS-AW); 39 M1152A1 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV); 45 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (IFATDS).

Apart from the non-MDE items that will be part of the sale will be: M28A2 Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket pods (LCRRPR); M249 machine gun; 5.56mm; M2A1 machine gun .50 CAL; M1084A2 truck, cargo, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV); Resupply Vehicles (RSV); M1089A2 truck, wrecker, FMTV, cargo, FMTV, RSV; M1095 Trailer, cargo, FMTV 5 Ton; Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGRAS) Core Communication Management System (CCMS) in support of AN/VRC-90E and AN/VRC-92E; frequency-hopping radios; tool kits; test equipment; support equipment; technical documentation; spare parts; training; US Government and contractor technical support; engineering and logistics support services; field office support; and elements of logistics/program support. The estimated total cost is USD 4.05 billion.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
From a strategic perspective, the M109A7's 60-second firing capability is impressive. However, as an Indian watching from the sidelines, I worry this turns Taiwan into a powder keg. The US seems to be using it as a pawn against China, which isn't good for anyone in Asia.
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Vikram M
$11 billion! That's an insane amount for defense. Imagine if that money was spent on climate change or poverty alleviation in the region. The arms race benefits no one except the military-industrial complex. We in India know the cost of prioritizing guns over butter.
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Rohit P
The technical specs are one thing, but the political message is clear. The US is digging in. As an Indian, I understand the need for strong defenses (look at our borders!), but this feels like pouring petrol on a smoldering fire. Hope cooler heads prevail.
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Priya S
Reading this from Mumbai. The precision guidance kit hitting within 30 meters is scary accurate. While I sympathize with Taiwan's desire for security, this level of foreign intervention rarely ends well. The Strait should be a zone of peace, not a potential battlefield.
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Michael C
A respectful criticism: The article heavily quotes Taiwanese and US sources, presenting only one side. A more balanced report would include the Chinese government's stated position and the potential consequences of this sale, which affects the entire Indo-Pacific region, including India.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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