Taiwan's army leans on firepower over troop numbers in second restructuring

According to the report, the artillery commands of the 6th, 10th and 8th Corps in the north, centre and south will be expanded and digitised. Existing rocket companies will be converted step by step into rocket battalions. The army will receive US-made Altius-600M loitering munitions, reconnaissance and FPV drones from the Chungshan Institute, and about 2,000 Altius-700M and Altius-600ISR units. The plan builds a digital 'find and strike' chain that passes targets spotted by drones to HIMARS or howitzers.

The Taipei Times reports that the Coastal Defence Command will form a 4th coastal combat group; the Liberty Times links this to delivery of the shore-launched Harpoon system. The Air Force Guard unit will grow to brigade size to protect radars and bases from Chinese drones and special forces, and conscripts will be equipped with Stinger and Kestrel weapons. The report notes that its sources are anonymous and that it carries no official confirmation from the defence ministry.

The second step in air defence depends on Washington. The Taipei Times wrote that PAC-3 MSE and NASAMS units hinge on approval of a 14 billion dollar package; the Liberty Times put the same package at 420 billion Taiwan dollars. According to Nikkei Asia, US Representative Ami Bera said in Tokyo on 24 October that the administration was holding back the sale despite congressional approval. He said he would keep pressing for it to be expedited.