TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has signed a large order with the US for military aircraft and naval vessel equipment.
Despite US President Joe Biden preparing to leave office in two months, his administration's support for Taiwan's security continues. Taiwan's Government e-Procurement System announced Wednesday (Nov. 20) that its defense mission to the US has signed three procurement contracts with the American Institute in Taiwan worth more than NT$10 billion (US$326 million), per Liberty Times.
The contracts include standard aviation parts and accessories for NT$6.74 billion, non-standard aviation parts and accessories for NT$2.45 billion, and ship parts and accessories for NT$1.5 billion. The total sales value is NT$10.69 billion, with the contracts valid from this year until the second half of 2026.
While the announcements do not specify exact purposes, they were executed by the Air Force Command and Navy Command, indicating they are procurement contracts for parts to maintain the readiness of Air Force aircraft and Navy vessels. The contract fulfillment locations include Tainan, Pingtung County, and Kaohsiung's Zuoying District.
In related a development, the US' Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Sept. 16 the US government had approved the return, repair, and reshipment of spare parts valued at US$228 million. This sale primarily includes spare parts for aircraft and related equipment, as well as engineering, technical, and logistical support.
Next year's Ministry of National Defense budget shows allocations exceeding NT$8.6 billion for standard aviation parts. These include parts for F-16V fighters, E-2K early-warning aircraft, P-3C anti-submarine aircraft, S-70C anti-submarine helicopters, and UH-60M helicopters.
In 2022, the US government announced an arms sale to Taiwan worth US$120 million for naval ship spare parts and related technical support. Whether the latest ship parts and accessories procurement contract between Taiwan and the US represents a follow-up purchase to expand Navy inventories remains to be clarified.