DEFENSE/Taiwan to receive 18 more HIMARS ahead of schedule: MND

Taipei, March 20 (CNA) Taiwan is set to receive all High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) it has purchased from the United States next year, earlier than scheduled, according to a Ministry of Defense (MND) written report to the Legislative Yuan.

Based on the MND's budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 and its report on the progress on the procurement of F-16 C/D block 70 fighter jets, of the 18 ongoing arms procurement packages Taiwan has with the U.S., two are behind schedule, one is ahead of schedule, and 15 are proceeding as scheduled.

A second batch of 18 HIMARS that Taiwan has purchased from the U.S. is scheduled to be delivered next year instead of 2027 as was originally planned, according to the report. Taiwan has purchased 29 HIMARS from the U.S. and received the first batch of 11 last year.

The two delayed procurement packages include upgrades to Taiwan's F-16 A/B planes to meet F-16V block 20 specifications, and the 66 F-16V jets that Taiwan has purchased, the report said.

A ceremonial launch of the first F-16V, also known as F-16 C/D block 70, bought by Taiwan from the U.S. is scheduled to take place later this month in the U.S.

The MND expects to receive all 66 F-16 C/D block 70 aircraft from the U.S. by the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, 15 other arms sale packages, including Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and M1A2T Abrams tanks, are shown to be on schedule.

Taiwan took delivery of 38 M1A2T tanks in December last year.