Taiwan’s defense industry is taking proactive steps to set up logistical and maintenance support for the M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, which are facing delays in delivery from the United States. The U.S. government had previously approved a substantial $750 million sale of 40 M109A7 howitzers to Taiwan in 2022. However, ongoing production challenges related to the conflict in Ukraine have pushed back the anticipated delivery date to 2026.
During the recent Taipei International Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition, Taiwanese company Champion Auto made significant strides by signing a memorandum of understanding with BAE Systems. This partnership aims to establish comprehensive logistical support and maintenance solutions for various military equipment, notably including the M109A7 self-propelled howitzers.
The M109A7 is a cutting-edge 155mm artillery system capable of firing up to eight rounds per minute, with a maximum operational range of 30 kilometers (approximately 18 miles). The collaboration between Champion Auto and BAE Systems signifies a critical step in bolstering Taiwan’s military capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions.
In addition to the M109A7, Champion Auto will extend its support to other military platforms, including the M88A2 armored recovery vehicles and Assault Amphibious Vehicles.
Despite the emerging partnership, details around the exact timeline for the M109A7 howitzers’ delivery remains unclear, and there has been no official update from BAE Systems regarding the expected arrival. Yoshi Tanaka, BAE Systems’ Vice President of International Market Creation for Asia, refrained from providing specifics, emphasizing that the agreement is designed to help “prepare for future needs.”
Champion Auto expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting that it represents a significant milestone for Taiwanese enterprises in military logistics. The company believes that combining BAE Systems’ vast experience in military systems integration with its own local strengths will enable them to offer more reliable equipment support to the Taiwanese military.
Andy Corea, General Manager of Combat Mission Systems at BAE Systems, underscored the importance of the partnership, indicating that it aims to ensure the readiness of Taiwanese military equipment over the coming years, much of which has been originally produced by BAE Systems. This collaboration is poised to enhance Taiwan’s defense infrastructure as it navigates an increasingly complex security landscape.
