TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has started co-producing 155mm howitzer shells with the US, Armaments Bureau Director-General Lin Wen-hsiang said during a legislative hearing on Monday.

In light of defense resilience requirements and evidence from Ukraine that 155mm shells are consumed the fastest, the two countries have begun preliminary work, Lin said, per CNA. He did not disclose further details but said that if cooperation is successful, it could be gradually expanded to other types of munitions.

Platforms that use 155mm shells include the M109A2 and M109A5 Paladins, the M109A7 variants that have not yet been delivered, and the towed T-65 howitzers. A military source said that because self-propelled and towed artillery operate differently, the 155mm shells may not be compatible with towed guns.

The development comes as the defense ministry is seeking ways to boost domestic munitions production to ensure Taiwan can continue fighting during a conflict. It aims to pursue independent production of new munitions and establish local ammunition production lines.

The ministry said it would also deepen cooperation with allies, including by introducing technologies from those countries.