TSAMTO, September 10. According to the Taiwan News resource, the United States will supply Taiwan with the first 155-mm tracked self-propelled howitzers M-109A6 "Paladin" in 2023.
According to the budget documents submitted by the Ministry of National Defense to the Legislative Yuan, the first 8 howitzers are planned to be delivered in 2023, 16 units – in 2024, and the last 16 units – in 2025. The artillery systems became part of the first package of weapons, the delivery of which was approved by the Biden administration to Taiwan.
As reported by TSAMTO, in August 2021, the US State Department approved the potential supply to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Sales program of 40 units of 155-mm medium self-propelled howitzers M-109A6 "Paladin", 20 M992A2 ammunition replenishment vehicles (FAASV), one set of advanced tactical field artillery fire control system (AFATDS), 5 M88A2 HERCULES BREM, as well as other related equipment, weapons and services. The full cost of the agreement may amount to $ 750 million.
Over the past decade, the US administration has approved other major arms deliveries to Taiwan, including 4 MQ-9B UAVs, up to 100 HCDS coastal defense systems, 11 M-142 HIMARS MLRS, 66 F-16C/D Block fighters.70, 108 M1A2T "Abrams" tanks. In addition, projects for the modernization of existing F-16 fighters and Patriot air defense systems, as well as the supply of various spare parts, weapons and ammunition, were approved. The Chinese leadership traditionally has a negative attitude to such sales.