The Americans continue to arm Taiwan against the background of China's threats to seize the island by force. Yesterday, August 6, the portal thedefensepost.com He reported that the US State Department approved the sale of weapons in the amount of $ 750 million.
The weapons package approved for delivery includes 40 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled guns, 20 FAASV loading vehicles and five M88A2 transport and evacuation vehicles. In addition, the list lists guidance kits for projectiles, weapons, as well as equipment for the modernization of self-propelled guns that are in service with the Taiwanese army.
ACS M109A6 Paladin
Image source: army.mil
"The proposed sale will help to increase the security of the recipient, as well as help in maintaining political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region," the DSCA press service said.
The M109 self-propelled gun was developed in the 50s and has been mass-produced since 1962, having been repeatedly modernized. The machine first entered the battlefield during the Vietnam War and was subsequently used in almost all conflicts in which the American military took part.
The basic armament of the self-propelled gun is a 155-mm M126 howitzer, from which you can shoot various types of projectiles, ranging from "blanks" to "smart" projectiles with GPS guidance. Aluminum rolled armor provides protection from small arms fire and fragments of field artillery shells. The maximum speed of the car is 56 km / h, the power reserve is 350 km. Production of the M109A6 modification was started in 1990, and in 1992 it was adopted by the US army. The key changes of the M109A6 compared to the previous version of the self-propelled gun were a new turret with improved armor protection and internal Kevlar skin, as well as a new, more accurate M284 gun. In addition, the M109A6 has an automated control system, an onboard ballistic computer and a navigation system that provides automatic gun guidance.
