Taiwan gets US approval for potential purchase of 40 M109A6 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzers, precision munition kits

An M109A6 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer. Photo c/o Asia Times.

The US State Department has approved the potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of 155mm M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and related services and equipment, with an estimated cost of US$750 million.

This is the first weapons package for Taiwan that was approved by the administration of US President Joe Biden, with the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanking the US Government for its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) has announced that Taiwan requested to purchase 40 155mm M109A6 Paladin medium self-propelled howitzer systems, 20 M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles (FAASV), 1 Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), 5 M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicles, 1,698 multi-option Precision Guidance Kits (PGK), as well as several other support equipment and services, machine guns, spare and repair parts, communication systems, and logistics support.

The proposed sale of the M109A6 Paladin to Taiwan will contribute to the modernization of the Republic of China Army’s (ROCA) self-propelled howitzer fleet, and enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats.

This also allows for further enhancing of interoperability with military forces of the United States and allies.

BAE Systems will be the prime contractor for the proposed sale, although no agreement has been reached yet, which would be made once negotiations are completed between the US and Taiwanese Governments.

The ROCA is an existing operator of the M109 self-propelled artillery system, although it uses the older M109A3 and M109A5. It also operates several M88A1 Hercules armored recovery vehicles.

The foreign ministry of the People’s Republic of China, which considers Taiwan as a renegade province, has voiced out its opposition to the proposed sale of artillery systems and had lodged “stern representations” with the United States Government.




[1] US Defense Security Cooperation Agency
[2] Reuters
[3] Taiwan News