Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense will be spending over NT$190 million (US$6.04 million) over the next two years on precision airdrop systems in a bid to improve the military’s aerial delivery capability.
According to information published Monday on Taiwan’s Government e-Procurement System website, the NT$193.93 million deal won by the Taipei-based Astro Technology Co. includes the supply of GPS-guided aerial delivery systems for the Army.
The contract runs from Sept. 19, 2022 to Dec. 12, 2024, with the delivery of the systems, which are manufactured by a Canadian firm, set to be made in Pingtung County, the government data showed.
A source in Taiwan’s armed forces who requested anonymity told CNA that the deal pertains to the Sherpa GPS-guided parafoil PADS (precision airdrop systems) manufactured by MMIST Incorporated.
Based on information published on Astro Technology’s website, the Sherpa PADS can be airdropped from a C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, or CH-47 Chinook transport aircraft.
The Sherpa systems are fully autonomous and GPS guided, and can be deployed by the armed forces for all kinds of airdrop supply operations, the website stated.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel