Taiwan says three US arms orders face delays
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Taiwan's defence authorities have submitted a public written briefing to the legislature on US arms sales to Taiwan, showing that 24 cases are currently under execution, with 21 progressing normally and three delayed. The delayed programmes involve MK48 heavy torpedoes, AGM-154C stand-off land-attack missiles and the procurement of 66 F-16V fighter jets, while other items including M1A2T Abrams tanks and Switchblade 300 loitering munitions have completed delivery this year
Key Points
- The briefing says 24 US arms sales cases are being implemented, of which 21 are on schedule and three are delayed
- The MK48 heavy torpedo programme was budgeted from 2018 to 2033 at more than NT$5.46 billion for 24 combat torpedoes and four exercise torpedoes
- Delivery of the MK48 torpedoes had been due this year, but supply-chain disruption and production-line restart issues pushed completion to 2028
- Taiwan said the F-16A/B upgrade programme, budgeted from 2012 to 2028 at more than NT$135.9 billion, completed upgrades to 141 aircraft by the end of 2023
- AGM-154C missile delivery was postponed from 2023 to 2028 because the United States had to restart production, prepare materials and integrate system development for the latest configuration
- The new fighter procurement programme, budgeted from 2020 to 2026 at more than NT$247.2 billion for 66 F-16V jets, faces delivery risk from production-line relocation, restart and supply-chain disruption
- The first two F-16V aircraft arrived at Taitung Air Base on October 2 and will be handed over in batches after follow-up preparation with the US side
- Taiwan also said M1A2T Abrams tanks, Switchblade 300 loitering drones and airborne operational parachute equipment were fully delivered this year
- Additional equipment due for delivery this year includes the third-generation land area system, Harpoon Coastal Defense System, MS110 reconnaissance pod and MQ-9B SeaGuardian drone
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the disclosure offers a rare official snapshot of how supply-chain and production constraints are affecting cross-Strait military procurement timelines, rather than only the headline value of arms deals. It also shows that even where some high-profile systems are delayed, Taiwan says multiple other US-supplied platforms are still arriving this year, keeping the broader procurement programme moving