Taiwan expands arsenal: $27.59 billion ammunition procurement plan

Arsenal strengthening strategy

Taiwanese authorities are implementing a comprehensive plan to prepare for a potential prolonged conflict. The main objective is to significantly increase ammunition reserves: from the current 30 days of combat operations to 120 days. To achieve this, the government approved a six-year procurement programme with a total value of NT$27.59 billion, equivalent to approximately $868 million.

Funding and priority areas

Expenditure for this initiative is included in the draft defence budget. Separately, in September, the government allocated NT$7.3 billion to urgently replenish critically low stockpiles. The Ministry of National Defence explains the need to accelerate procurement due to the active use of ammunition during regular military exercises and training.

The military's top priority is to replenish stockpiles with the following items:

• 120mm and 105mm tank ammunition;
• 30mm shells for automatic cannons;
• propellant charges for 155mm howitzers;
• various types of explosives.

Development of domestic production

In parallel with overseas procurement, Taiwan is actively expanding its domestic production capacity. Plans include the creation of new and modernisation of existing production lines for manufacturing tank shells, artillery ammunition, propellants, and other key components. In addition, an agreement was signed with the United States of America for the joint production of large-calibre ammunition.