Taiwan and the US launch joint production of 155mm artillery shells amid blockade fears

Taiwan has begun co-producing 155mm (6.1-inch) artillery shells with the US, as the island moves to strengthen wartime ammunition resilience amid Beijing’s escalating military pressure and concern over supply disruptions in a high-intensity conflict.

Taiwan’s defence ministry on Monday said Taipei and Washington had launched early-stage joint production of a new type of 155mm howitzer ammunition.

Lieutenant General Lin Wen-hsiang, head of Taiwan’s Armaments Bureau, testified during a legislative session that the Ukraine war underscored the urgency of securing a sustained ammunition supply in the event of an armed conflict.

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“For defence resilience and because the Ukraine war has demonstrated that 155mm howitzers are among the fastest-consumed artillery systems, we have already begun preliminary work with the United States, starting with joint production of 155mm howitzer ammunition,” Lin said.

“If successful, this will then be expanded to other weapons and munitions,” he added.

Taiwanese soldiers train in Taichung, Taiwan. Mainland China’s defence ministry has repeatedly said it “firmly opposes” any form of military collaboration between the US and Taiwan. Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images
Taiwanese soldiers train in Taichung, Taiwan. Mainland China’s defence ministry has repeatedly said it “firmly opposes” any form of military collaboration between the US and Taiwan. Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images

Details of the Taiwan-US arrangement remained classified, Lin said. He described the project as part of a broader push to enhance Taiwan’s “defence resilience”.