Taiwan has begun preliminary work for the joint production of 155mm artillery shells with the US, according to Taipei’s head of the Armaments Bureau, Lt. Gen. Lin Wen-hsiang.
While Lin did not provide further details, he cited the 155mm munitions’ extensive use and demand in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as Taipei’s efforts to secure its domestic supply amid China’s threats of taking the self-governed island by force and potential supply chain disruption.
Sources familiar with the matter said that the collaboration is related to the country’s incoming M109A7 self-propelled howitzers expected from the US this year.
The partnership also seeks to resolve incompatibility between Taiwan’s homegrown ammunition and the US-made M109A7’s requirements by producing shells aligned with US specifications, South China Morning Post reported.
Moreover, the defense ministry plans to spend about 14 billion New Taiwan dollars ($443 million) to build an automated artillery ammunition production line at the Armaments Bureau’s 202nd Factory and upgrade existing facilities to boost the output of 155mm and other high-demand munitions.
The Taiwanese official said that if the partnership proves successful, it could be expanded to other weapons and munitions.
As Taipei’s main defense supplier, Washington also considered weapons co-production with the country in 2022, involving a technology transfer or producing the platforms in the US using Taiwan-made parts.
155mm Artillery Shells
The 155mm shells — measuring around 2 feet (0.6 meters) long and weighing around 100 pounds (45 kilograms) — are the NATO-standard caliber for heavy artillery, including M109 Paladins, Panzerhaubitze 2000, and CAESAR self-propelled howitzers.
It is utilized for long-range targeting, counter-battery fire, area effects, and support of maneuver operations.
Beyond Taiwan, several countries are moving to secure domestic 155mm artillery ammunition supplies as demand surges.
The US Army is investing nearly $640 million to procure 155mm high-explosive rounds under its Special Ammunition and Weapons Systems program, while ramping up production to reach a target of 100,000 rounds per month by mid-2026.
In Europe, Poland’s state-owned Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and BAE Systems are establishing a 155mm ammunition production facility, while Belgium has opened a production line in Wallonia to manufacture 155mm shells to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.