Taiwan Secures Machineguns, Mortars For Its Reserve Force

The proposed budget of Taiwan's military has allocated funds to buy thousands of new machine guns and mortars to be deployed by the nation's reserve force in coming years to boost its defense capabilities amid China’s threat of invasion.

Photo Insert: Soldiers of the Taiwanese Army conduct a live-fire drill.

The Army has allocated NT$428.8 million (US$15.4 million) for fiscal years 2022-2026 to purchase 2,060 light machine guns for infantry squads listed under the military's reserve units, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND) budget proposal sent to lawmakers for review on Tuesday. The budget also includes funding for maintenance expenses.

The weapons are meant to boost these units' firepower to fend off invading forces, the budget proposal said. Another NT$157.3 million was allocated by the Army to buy 87 120mm mortars from 2022 to 2026, also to be deployed by reserve units.

The easy-to-operate, precision weapon system can buy more time for Taiwan's armed forces to defeat invaders, according to the proposal.

The budget proposal is part of an overall defense budget proposal of NT$471.7 billion the military sent to the Legislature for arms purchases and other defense needs. It must be reviewed and passed by the Legislature in its new session that started Wednesday before taking effect.

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