Taiwan boosts artillery capability with acquisition of more U.S. M109A7 self-propelled howitzers.

According to information published by the Liberty Times Next on July 5, 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has officially confirmed an extensive expansion of its artillery modernization program, approving the acquisition of 168 M109A7 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers from the United States. This new procurement replaces the original plan for 40 units and aims to completely phase out Taiwan’s aging fleet of legacy artillery platforms. The acquisition includes an undisclosed number of M992A3 field artillery ammunition supply vehicles, which share the same upgraded chassis as the M109A7, enhancing logistical integration and battlefield efficiency.
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The M109A7 is the latest US-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer featuring enhanced mobility, digital fire control, and improved survivability for modern battlefield operations. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The total value of this procurement is estimated at over NT$90 billion, approximately $2.75 billion USD, making it one of the most substantial investments in Taiwan’s ground combat capabilities. The M109A7, developed under the U.S. Army’s Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program, features a new chassis, advanced powerpack, improved digital fire control systems, and enhanced crew protection. These upgrades will provide the Republic of China Army with significantly improved mobility, firepower, and survivability in high-threat environments. The M109A7's compatibility with modern artillery networks and automated logistics systems will also strengthen Taiwan’s capacity for sustained fire support during prolonged operations.

Currently, Taiwan’s artillery forces rely on a dated inventory of 488 tracked self-propelled howitzers, including 100 105mm M108 units, 225 M109A2/A5 155mm howitzers, 48 M44T systems, 45 T-69 models, and 70 M110A2 heavy 203mm howitzers. Most of these systems are no longer supported by original manufacturers and lack the capability to meet the demands of modern combat. This modernization initiative is therefore not only a technological upgrade but a strategic necessity for national defense.

In addition to the M109A7 acquisition, the United States has authorized a series of major Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan in recent years aimed at enhancing its multi-domain defense capabilities. Among the most significant is the delivery of 108 M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks, a Taiwan-specific variant of the M1A2 SEPv2, providing a dramatic leap in armored warfare capacity and survivability. Furthermore, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), already approved and under delivery, will deliver extended-range precision strike options with munitions such as the GMLRS and ATACMS, significantly improving Taiwan's capacity to engage high-value targets at stand-off ranges.

The latest approved packages also include AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons, FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS, and Mk 48 Mod 6 heavyweight torpedoes, further strengthening Taiwan’s air defense, long-range strike, and maritime interdiction capabilities. However, the request for M982 Excalibur precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, which would pair effectively with the new M109A7 systems, remains pending U.S. approval.

The M109A7 is the latest generation of the U.S. Army’s tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzer, developed as part of the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program to modernize legacy M109 platforms. While retaining the same 155mm cannon as the M109A6 Paladin, the M109A7 incorporates a completely new chassis derived from the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, offering enhanced durability, commonality of parts, and improved battlefield survivability. It features a digital fire control system, electric gun drives, an automated rammer, and a high-voltage power system capable of supporting future networked and automated systems. With a maximum firing range of approximately 30 kilometers with standard projectiles and over 40 kilometers using rocket-assisted rounds, the M109A7 offers increased rate of fire, precision, and operational readiness compared to its predecessors. Designed for rapid shoot-and-scoot tactics, the M109A7 can deliver high-volume indirect fire support while minimizing exposure to counter-battery threats, making it a cornerstone of modern mechanized artillery forces.

Given the persistent threat of a potential invasion by the People’s Republic of China, U.S. military support and arms transfers have become a strategic cornerstone of Taiwan’s defense posture. With Beijing ramping up military pressure through frequent aerial incursions, naval exercises, and gray-zone operations in the Taiwan Strait, Washington has adopted a proactive approach to bolster Taiwan's deterrence through robust military sales and increased security cooperation. This assistance is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act and reinforced by the 2022 Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act, which calls for expanded U.S. support in the face of growing Chinese military assertiveness.

The delivery of 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks provides Taiwan with superior firepower and survivability in ground combat scenarios, particularly in potential urban and coastal engagements that would follow an amphibious landing. Meanwhile, the integration of the HIMARS rocket artillery system enhances Taiwan’s deep-strike capabilities, enabling precision engagement of high-value targets such as enemy air defenses, missile launchers, and command centers well beyond frontline positions. These assets are essential for implementing Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare strategy, which prioritizes mobility, survivability, and precision over numerical parity.

In addition to platforms and munitions, U.S. support has included the enhancement of command and control infrastructure, cybersecurity cooperation, and joint training initiatives to improve interoperability and operational readiness. These combined efforts reflect Washington’s strategic calculus that a well-armed and prepared Taiwan serves as a critical element in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The strategic delivery of advanced systems such as the M109A7 howitzers, HIMARS, and Abrams MBTs signals a broader U.S. commitment not only to Taiwan’s self-defense but to preserving the international order against unilateral changes to the status quo by force.