Taiwan plans to quadruple ammunition stockpiles

 Taiwan’s defense authorities plan to quadruple ammunition stockpiles, from enough to sustain 30 days of combat operations to supplies sufficient for 120 days, Taipei Times reported.

According to the newspaper, a six-year procurement program worth a total of 27.59 bln New Taiwan dollars (about $868 mln) has been developed for this purpose. This year, 7.3 bln New Taiwan dollars ($229 mln) has been allocated to the ammunition stockpiling program, with authorities expected to allocate a similar amount next year.

Priority will be given to procuring 120 mm and 105 mm tank rounds, 30 mm ammunition for automatic cannons, as well as shells for 155 mm howitzers. The island also plans to expand ammunition production capacity at local facilities, the newspaper said.