Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on December 25 that the long-delayed delivery of all US-made TOW-2B anti-tank missiles will be completed by the end of the year, according to the local media. 

The sale of the missiles was initially approved in 2015 under then-US President Barack Obama. Taiwan’s military ordered 1,700 TOW missiles, 100 M1167 Humvees, and 100 M41A7 Improved Target Acquisition Systems (ITAS) in 2018, allocating US $364 million for the purchase between fiscal years 2018 and 2025. 

Originally slated for delivery by 2022, the shipments were delayed due to production challenges and quality issues that prevented the missiles from meeting US Army standards. 

In October 2024, the MND confirmed that the initial 460 missiles had passed quality control testing, with the remaining 1,240 undergoing production and testing. The MND has not disclosed exact delivery dates but has assured completion of all missiles by year-end.

This comes shortly after the arrival of the first batch of US-made Abrams M1A2T tanks in Taiwan. On December 15, 38 tanks from a 108-unit order reached the Port of Taipei in New Taipei’s Bali District. 

This procurement, initiated during then-President Donald Trump’s term in June 2019, was also delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and surging global demand driven by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. 

Taiwan also recently received HIMARS rocket systems last month, reducing the backlog of delayed US arms shipments to approximately US $19.17 billion. 

On the other hand, Beijing has repeatedly condemned US arms sales to Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian recently called on Washington to “stop arming Taiwan and stop encouraging or supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ forces trying to achieve their goals through military means.”

China’s Foreign Ministry has accused the United States of violating the 1982 August 17 Communiqué, which outlined Washington’s intention to reduce arms sales to Taiwan over time. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and opposes any military support that could embolden its de facto independence aspirations.

Nonetheless, with the arms deliveries proceeding, Taiwan continues to increase its defense capabilities as geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region show no signs of abating.  

TOW 2 Wire-Guided Anti-Tank Missile 

The TOW (Tube-launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-guided) missile system, developed by Raytheon, is an American anti-tank weapon marketed as the preferred anti-armor solution for US, NATO, and Coalition forces worldwide. 

The TOW missiles can be launched from tripod-mounted tubes or mounted on various vehicles for enhanced operational flexibility.

A key feature of the system is its advanced dual-mode target sensor, designed by Thales (formerly Thomson-Thorn) Missile Electronics. This sensor integrates a laser profilometer and a magnetic sensor paired with a new warhead section manufactured by Aerojet, ensuring precision and effectiveness in combat scenarios.

Taiwan is slated to receive the TOW-2B variant, which represents a significant technological advancement over earlier models. Its “top-attack” capability and wireless guidance set it apart from previous direct-attack versions. 

This makes it especially effective in anti-landing operations, where it can neutralize Chinese landing craft before they reach shore. 

Introduced in the 1990s, the TOW-2B marked a major leap in targeting accuracy and lethality, with a range exceeding 4,500 meters. It is designed to engage armored vehicles, bunkers, and enemy landing ships.

Taiwan currently operates the TOW-2A model, which uses a direct-attack mode. This variant has a maximum range of 3,750 meters and can penetrate armor up to 102.5 cm thick. 

In addition to Taiwan, Ukraine has also been provided with the TOW 2B missile system. Ukrainian forces have extensively used this advanced weapon to target and neutralize Russian ground vehicles in various combat situations.

Moreover, Taiwan’s military has already received upgraded Humvees equipped with the Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS), which were deployed during the Han Kuang 40 and Tian Ma military exercises. 

These Humvees feature upgraded armor, reinforced bulletproof windows, and a sharper, more angular exterior. They can serve as the primary launch platforms for TOW missiles.

However, the TOW system faced scrutiny recently when its TOW-2A missiles displayed inconsistent performance during a military exercise in August. 

Of the 17 missiles fired over two days, only seven accurately hit their targets. The cause of this issue—whether operator error or weapon malfunction—remained unclear at the time.

In response to concerns about the exercise, Taiwanese military officials clarified that the training was intended to familiarize soldiers with the weapon system rather than to test its accuracy under optimal conditions. 

Following this incident, the military initiated a comprehensive review of training protocols, missile storage conditions, and external factors such as weather to identify potential improvement areas.

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