Following the recent delivery of the first HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems to the Taiwanese Army, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense may be preparing to take the next step in its artillery modernization program with the potential acquisition of up to 168 new M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers from the United States—an important expansion from the originally projected 40 units.
Although no formal announcement regarding a final contract has been made, this potential purchase is part of Taipei’s long-term strategy to completely overhaul its aging fleet of self-propelled artillery systems, most of which have been in service for over three decades and are no longer supported by the original manufacturer.
In this context, the move toward acquiring the M109A7 marks a shift from the program’s earlier trajectory. In 2021, the Biden administration approved the sale of 40 M109A6 self-propelled howitzers along with 1,698 GPS-guided precision kits. However, the deal was later cancelled without public explanation. During the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) in 2023, a BAE Systems spokesperson confirmed to Janes that the company had offered the M109A7 to the Taiwanese Army as an alternative. “The RoCA operates nearly 200 M109A2 and M109A5 systems. The service had intended to purchase the M109A6 for its howitzer requirements. The U.S. had approved the sale of 40 M109A6s to Taiwan in 2021. But the sale was cancelled for unknown reasons,” the spokesperson said at the time.
The new package is expected to include not only M109A7s but also an undisclosed number of M992A3 ammunition resupply vehicles. Both systems share a modernized chassis, which would ease logistical integration and significantly enhance the operational efficiency of Taiwan’s artillery forces. If finalized, this acquisition would represent one of Taiwan’s largest defense investments, with an estimated cost of USD 2.75 billion.
Currently, Taiwan operates more than 400 self-propelled howitzers of various models, including 155mm M109A2/A5, 105mm M108, T-69, M44T, and 203mm M110A2 systems. Many of these platforms, based on Cold War-era technology, have serious limitations in facing high-intensity modern combat scenarios. The M109A7 Paladin from BAE Systems is a state-of-the-art artillery system designed for the U.S. Army, capable of delivering critical fire support across a range of combat missions. It has a maximum firing rate of four rounds per minute and can strike targets up to 30 kilometers away.
Lastly, it is important to view this artillery expansion in the context of the growing Chinese military presence around Taiwan’s maritime environment. In recent days, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported that a rocket launched by the People’s Liberation Army had crossed part of the island’s declared air defense zone. While the launch was related to a space mission, it nonetheless highlights Beijing’s mounting pressure on Taiwan’s strategic environment.
Against this backdrop, both the HIMARS and the potentially incoming M109A7s are expected to play a central role in Taiwan’s Defense Strategy. These systems would enable precision strikes against high-value targets in the region, including in southeastern China’s coastal areas, significantly expanding the reach and resilience of Taiwan’s ground-based military power.
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