According to Taiwan media, an official of the Taiwan Army, who did not want to be named, said that the administrative department of the Taiwan authorities had approved the "Nine Array Project" to purchase the M136 "Volcano" vehicle minelaying system from the United States last year, and Taiwan's defense department is currently handling the letter of request for quotation. As a matter of course, the case will not come into effect until the U.S. side "notifies Congress" for approval and replies to sign it. The source also said that after the project takes effect, regular project management meetings will be held with the U.S. side to ensure that the case is carried out "as scheduled and with high quality".
According to Taiwan media, the U.S. Army developed the M136 "Volcano" mine distribution system in the 1980s, which can be installed on ground vehicles or helicopters. Known as Ground Volcano when installed on ground vehicles, the system uses prefabricated mine canisters containing a variety of anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines . According to Taiwan media, the U.S. military mainly uses M977 heavy-duty mobile tactical trucks to load the system. It has the characteristics of high mobility, wide spreading area, fewer operators, and fast operating speed. the enemy's purpose.
According to Taiwan media, according to the "Taiwan-U.S. Sales Process" published in the "Defense Report" of the Taiwan authorities, after the military purchase case is approved by the leaders and administrative departments of Taiwan, the construction unit submits a price letter of demand (LOR for LOA) and signed by the person in charge of the defense department for approval, and after approval by the leaders of the Taiwan region, notify the military delegation of the Taiwan authorities stationed in the United States to submit a letter of demand for the offer to the United States; the United States is conducting an arms sales necessity review (including inter-ministerial Review), and then notify the US Congress to provide a proposal (LOA). Finally, after Taiwan’s legislature reviews the budget and approves the procurement plan by the defense department, the project unit will continue to notify the military delegation stationed in the United States to sign the offer, and then proceed with payment and follow-up implementation.
Regarding the sale of arms by the United States to Taiwan, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense has publicly stated that the Taiwan issue concerns China's core interests. China strongly urges the U.S. to honor its commitments, strictly abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, especially the "August 17" communiqué, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, stop arms sales to Taiwan and U.S.-Taiwan military ties, so as not to further damage the Sino-U.S. The relationship between the two countries and the military and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait region. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has the determination, will and ability to resolutely defeat any form of external interference and separatist plots for "Taiwan independence", and will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
(edit: LH)
