US State Department approves $180 million anti-tank weapons sale to Taiwan
Volcano systems will be mounted on M977A4 HEMTT trucks. (Photo: Oshkosh Defense).
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 28 December the approval of a possible foreign military sale (FMS) to Taiwan of Volcano (vehicle-launched) anti-tank munition-laying systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $180 million.
Taipei has requested to purchase Volcano systems; M977A4 HEMTT 10-Ton cargo trucks; M87A1 anti-tank munitions; M88 canister training munitions (practice dummy ammunition rounds); M89 training munitions (test ammunition rounds); and organic US Army Depot build of Volcano system permanently mounted on M977A4 HEMTT truck.
The package would also include logistics support, spare parts, spare secondary assemblies, tool kits, test equipment, organic depot production, integration and testing, operator and maintenance training as well logistics and fielding support.
Related Articles
What clues might China and Taiwan take from the Ukraine war? (Opinion)
Taiwan seeks naval vessel support via FMS
Taiwan delineates defence priorities in new budget
Taiwan commissions first homemade LPD
A press release issued by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency noted that this proposed sale supports Taipei’s continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.
It ‘will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region’, the document pointed out.
The principal contractors will be Northrup Grumman for the production of munition canister mines and Oshkosh Defense for the supply of M977A4 HEMTT vehicles.
More from Land Warfare
-
UK inks agreement for Swedish Archer guns and buys Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles
The defence ministers of the UK and Sweden have signed a letter of intent for a contract to supply the British Army with 14 Archer self-propelled guns and announced a deal for Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles.
-
Malaysian Army seeks new ATGMs
New antitank missiles are on the menu for the Malaysian Army, as a tender is launched.
-
US Army taps Lockheed Martin to develop future long-range manoeuvrable missile
The US Army has selected Lockheed Martin to develop an advanced propulsion Long Range Manoeuvrable Fires (LRMF) missile to be used with existing launchers.
-
How NATO countries plan to overcome ammunition shortages
Measures include ramping up production, facilitating acquisitions, improving infrastructure and logistics and increasing cooperation and joint procurements.