According to information provided by Focus Taiwan on June 29, 2023, Taiwan has signed a $146 million deal with the United States to acquire 14 Volcano anti-tank munition-laying systems. The agreement, effective since June 21, states that the arms will be delivered before the end of 2029, as confirmed by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND).
This follows the US State Department’s approval of a proposed arms package valued at $180 million, which included vehicle-launched Volcano systems and M977A4 HEMTT cargo trucks. Although the details of the difference between the proposed package and the final deal are not provided, this agreement represents a significant step forward for Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
The Volcano anti-tank munition-laying systems offer a key advantage, according to Taiwan’s Army Command Headquarters. These systems enable the rapid deployment of anti-tank mines over a large area, serving as a deterrent against potential amphibious landings.
The M136 Volcano is an automated mine delivery system that can swiftly deploy extensive minefields under various conditions using prepackaged canisters that contain anti-personnel (AP) and/or anti-tank (AT) mines. This system is utilized by armed forces around the world and can be mounted on aircraft (Air Volcano) or ground vehicles (Ground Volcano).