TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is considering the joint production of 155mm artillery shells with the US, after Washington expressed interest in ramping up production.
A senior government official revealed on Monday that the Ministry of National Defense will allocate a budget of NT$14 billion (US$430.88 million) to build a new automated artillery shell production line at the Armaments Bureau 202nd Factory. It will upgrade the existing shell production line to enhance capacity, Liberty Times reported.
The 202nd factory already produces 155mm shells, the official said. However, the production capacity was not fully utilized due to the relatively low frequency and quantity of live-fire Army and Marine Corps exercises.
The US and other European countries have been racing to restore or establish new production lines for 155mm shells amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, per Liberty Times.
The senior official added that if the Presidential Office and Cabinet approve the plan and funding is secured, setting up the production line will be carried out from fiscal year 2026 to 2030.
