Taiwan Deploys All 24 M109A5 Howitzers to Northern Brigade Battalion

Taiwan's military has concentrated its 24 advanced M109A5 self-propelled howitzers with the Army's 542nd Combined Brigade Artillery Battalion, positioning them to defend northern Taiwan. This strategic deployment highlights the unit's critical role in the island's defense.

These howitzers are capable of engaging targets up to 30 kilometers away. In wartime, they will provide direct support for brigade-level defensive operations. They can also be incorporated into corps-level fire control systems to execute crucial fire missions, such as interdicting enemy forces on beaches.

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The M109A5 self-propelled howitzers, totaling 24 units, are all operated by the Army's 542nd Combined Brigade Artillery Battalion, demonstrating high tactical value in mobility, sustained firepower, and battlefield survivability.

The M109A5 represents a significant upgrade within Taiwan's M109 self-propelled artillery fleet. Compared to the older M109A2, the M109A5 features a more powerful M284 cannon and a 440-horsepower engine, extending its range to 30 kilometers from the M109A2's approximately 24 kilometers. The military operates a total of around 225 M109A2 and M109A5 howitzers, with the more powerful M110A2 203mm howitzers reserved for corps-level artillery commands.

While the M109A5s are exclusively operated by the 542nd Brigade, other M109A2 howitzers are distributed among different combined brigade and Marine Corps units. However, in line with force structure modernization, the Marine Corps' 66th Brigade has begun replacing its M109A2s with drones, balancing firepower with advancements in military technology.

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In wartime, this artillery brigade directly supports the defense mission of its assigned area, and when ordered, is incorporated into the corps-level fire control system for specific operational plans like beach interdiction.