The Legislative Yuan has authorized the Cabinet to sign Letters of Offer and
Acceptance, or L-O-A, for four U-S weapons systems due to expire very soon.

The four systems, M1-0-9-A-7 self-propelled howitzers, Javelin anti-armor
missiles, TOW 2B missiles and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or
HIMARS, are a major part of a $11.1 billion-U.S.-dollar arms package
announced by the United States in December.

The legislative caucuses agreed to include HIMARS in the motion after a
National Defense official said ammunition would be removed from the package
if Taiwan missed a March 26 signing deadline.

The TPP caucus said it proposed the motion to ensure the country’s strategic
interests and meet the timeline for arms purchases...

steps must be taken to prevent delays or capability gaps in national defense.

The approved proposal also states that the Cabinet should immediately submit
to the Legislative Yuan a complete report on the delivery schedule of the
weapons after the agreement is signed.

It stresses that the government must not invoke national security as a
pretext to evade democratic review and rational oversight.

(JL)