US offers ‘unprecedented’ extension for first HIMARS payment: MNDBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe US has agreed to defer Taiwan’s first payment for 82 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) until it has completed negotiations with contractors, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. The Legislative Yuan on March 13 authorized the Executive Yuan to sign four LOAs, including one for the HIMARS. However, the ministry had no basis to make the payment, as the budget had not yet been passed by the Legislative Yuan. The Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee met today, calling Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) to give a report on the ministry’s annual investment plan and ability to meet its financial commitments. The process for procuring weapons usually requires a signed LOA and an initial payment before the US can begin negotiating with manufacturers.

Source: Taipei Times March 30, 2026 09:40 UTC