DEFENSE/Taiwan commits to US$12.8m missile parts deal for Mirage jets: Source

Taipei, Jan. 3 (CNA) Taiwan's government has committed to buy from France parts and components of air-to-air missiles for a model that is part of the country's Mirage 2000 fighter jet fleet for NT$396.8 million (US$12.8 million), to ensure aircraft combat readiness, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

The Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday posted a notice on the Government e-Procurement System about the result of a limited bidding process for "missile parts and components."

Although the document does not identify the winning bidder, it contained an address corresponding to the headquarters of MBDA Missile Systems in France.

According to the notice, the order will be fulfilled from January 2024 until Dec. 2028 in Hsinchu, with the Republic of China Air Force listed as the competent agency.

The parts and components are for MBDA MICA and R.550 Magic air-to-air missiles, the source told CNA.

However, not all of Taiwan's 54 Mirage 2000 jets will receive the parts and components, which are specific to the nine two-seater aircraft in the Mirage fleet, according to the source.