The U.S. government has committed to the sale of a total of 120 M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers as part of its plans to strengthen Taiwan’s defense capacity. According to a report published in the Taipei Times, citing information shared by senior military officials, the sale of 60 artillery systems announced to the public last week constitutes the first phase of this comprehensive modernization project. Marking the second major defense package of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, the sale includes eight separate items worth a total of USD 11.1 billion, also covering HIMARS, anti-tank missiles, and drones.
Special Defense Budget and Procurement Process
The procurement of the new-generation M109A7 systems will be financed through a special defense budget of 1.25 trillion New Taiwan Dollars (approximately USD 39.7 billion) submitted by the Taiwanese government for legislative approval. Delivery of the initial batch of 60 units, valued at approximately USD 4 billion, is expected to be completed within five to eight years. Payments for the remaining second batch of 60 units and complementary equipment will be spread across the Ministry of National Defense’s annual budgets. In order to ensure that deliveries can be completed within the budget timeline, the Taiwanese administration revised its originally planned request of 168 units down to 120. The procurement package also includes 60 M992A3 ammunition resupply vehicles, 13 M88A2 armored recovery vehicles, 42 sets of the International Field Artillery Tactical Data System, and 4,080 Precision Guidance Kits (PGK).
M109A7 Paladin: Technical Improvements and Operational Efficiency
In terms of logistical sustainability, the M109A7 Paladin utilizes the chassis, engine, transmission, and track system of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, simplifying maintenance processes and ensuring parts commonality. Equipped with a standard 155 mm main gun with a range of up to 30 kilometers, the system can extend its range to 40 kilometers through the use of M982 Excalibur precision-guided munitions. Featuring digital fire control, GPS navigation, tactical data links, and an onboard diagnostics computer, the vehicle’s advanced automation reduces crew requirements from six personnel in the existing M109A5 model to four. When integrated with M549A1 and M795 high-explosive rounds, the Precision Guidance Kits (PGK) correct the projectile’s trajectory in flight, enabling direct hits on targets.
Regional Deterrence and Layered Defense Capability
Taiwanese officials state that the new howitzers will close the operational gap between HIMARS rockets with ranges of 42–70 km and conventional artillery systems with ranges of 20–30 km. Together with the ATACMS missiles’ capability of reaching up to 300 km, the layered firepower provided by the M109A7s will significantly enhance the island’s defense operations and deterrence capability. The inclusion of 1,050 Javelin missiles, 1,545 TOW missiles, and Anduril ALTIUS-700M loitering munitions within the defense package further reinforces Taiwan’s multi-layered defense doctrine.
Source: C4Defence / Taipei Times
