The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Monday that it was recently notified by the United States that the M109A6 “Paladin” self-propelled howitzers purchased by Taiwan will not be delivered on time due to inadequate production capacity.

Instead, Washington proposed alternative long-range precision strike weapon systems such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), the MND said in a press release.

The ministry is currently evaluating the U.S. proposal based on the precision strike capability and defensive needs of the country, before making a final decision, it added.

In August 2021, the U.S. approved purchases of 40 M109A6 “Paladin” self-propelled howitzers and related equipment at an estimated cost of US$750 million, as part of the first arms sale package to Taiwan approved by President Joe Biden since taking office in January 2021.

Taiwan’s military was originally set to take delivery of the first eight Paladins next year before receiving 16 each in 2024 and 2025.

However, Washington recently notified the MND that it will not be able to deliver the first batch of Paladins to Taiwan until 2026 at the earliest due to inadequate production capability.

The MND previously said the acquisition of M109A6s would be a significant upgrade to Taiwan’s existing defensive arsenal, which consists of older howitzer variants — M109A2 and M109A5 — used by Taiwan’s Army for more than 40 years and 20 years, respectively.

The Paladin has increased armor, a redesigned internal arrangement for safer ammunition and equipment storage, engine and suspension upgrades and an improved M284 155mm howitzer cannon.

Meanwhile, the U.S. approved the sale of 11 HIMARS M142 Launchers to Taipei in October 2020.

The HIMARS, a multiple launch rocket system mounted on a military truck, is mobile and has a strike distance of 300km when carrying M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel