Koo confirmed that the first payment for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) could be postponed beyond yesterday’s deadline, likely to about May when the US expects to finalize a contract with a supplier for the US$4.05 billion sale. The military was also in talks with the US for payment deferrals for three other weapons systems also approved for sale to Taiwan, but similarly facing budget issues, he said. An LOA is a binding document confirming that a foreign government agrees to purchase military equipment under a regulated US program. It also authorizes the US government to contract with defense manufacturers to procure the systems. The legislature authorized the Cabinet to sign the LOAs just before the March 15 deadline, even though funding for the first payment had yet to be secured.

Source: Taipei Times March 30, 2026 17:12 UTC