TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chen Kuo-ming (陳國銘), a Taiwan army knowledgeable and editor of Protection Worldwide journal, on Thursday (Dec. 29) praised the newest potential U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, saying it exhibits Washington has seen Taiwan’s army buildup wants.
Chen identified that the M-139 Volcano Automobile-Launched Scatterable Mine Programs can’t solely scale back the burden on engineering models and save manpower but in addition vastly enhance the effectivity of mine-laying, per Liberty Instances. At present, land mines are deployed by army engineers, who’re additionally tasked with organising bridges and constructing roads and bunkers, he stated.
So far as northern Taiwan is worried, anti-tank mines will be deployed in Luzhu District in Taoyuan and in Bali and Jinshang Districts in New Taipei Metropolis. This may enhance the time it takes for the enemy to seek out the mines and break by roadblocks, in addition to give the army extra time to assemble forces and stall the enemy, in line with Liberty Instances.
The sale, introduced on Thursday, totals US$180 million (NT$5.53 billion) and contains Volcano (vehicle-launched) anti-tank munition-laying methods, M977A4 HEMTT 10-Ton cargo vans, M87A1 Anti-Tank (AT) munitions, coaching munitions, logistical assist, and different associated gear, in line with the U.S.’ Protection Safety Cooperation Company (DSCA).
The principal contractors might be Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Company, DSCA stated. The system is ready to lay 960 mines in beneath one minute, in line with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Fight Aviation Brigade.
