Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo announced on Monday that the island will receive all 1,700 TOW 2B anti-tank missiles and 100 launchers purchased from the United States by the end of this year. This delivery follows a two-year delay, according to Focus Taiwan.

During a legislative session, Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo updated the timeline for the delivery of 1,700 TOW 2B anti-tank missiles and 100 launchers from the United States. The announcement came in response to questions from Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Ting-yu about the procurement schedule.

Taiwan had allocated NTD11.81 billion (USD364 million) for this purchase over the fiscal years 2018-2025, with initial deliveries expected in 2022. However, the delivery faced setbacks due to failed US Army tests, and Taiwan has not yet received any missiles as initially scheduled.

Minister Wellington Koo acknowledged that the delays were due to the weapons' initial failure to meet US Army standards. However, he assured that all necessary tests have now been successfully passed, ensuring delivery by the end of the year, as reported by Focus Taiwan.

Highlighting the significance of the acquisition, Minister Koo noted that the TOW 2B anti-tank missiles and launchers are part of three major arms packages purchased from the US, all of which have experienced significant delays.

These packages include 66 F-16V fighter jets and AGM-154 air-to-ground missile systems, known for their precision in striking surface targets. Koo revealed that Taiwan expects to receive two F-16V prototypes for further flight tests by the fourth quarter of this year and has requested the delivery of all 66 jets by the end of 2026.

Minister Koo did not specify the quantity of AGM-154 missiles purchased or their expected delivery timeline.

An unnamed military source described the capabilities of the TOW 2B missiles, explaining they are designed to target the vulnerable tops of armoured vehicles. This feature significantly enhances Taiwan’s defensive capabilities in potential invasion scenarios.

During a visit to Taiwan in May, Michael McCaul, Chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, highlighted approximately USD 20 billion in pending arms sales to Taiwan. He attributed the delays primarily to industry-related issues, as reported by Focus Taiwan.

Image source: ANI