Taiwan's defense ministry is pushing back on a report that the US tried to water down a major artillery purchase, insisting the original deal is still on track — good news for Taiwan's military modernization plans.

• A report claimed the US asked Taiwan's army to accept upgraded old M109A6 howitzers instead of new M109A7 models, with the upgrade costs billed separately.
• Defense Minister Wellington Koo said the purchase agreement for new M109A7s has already been signed and is moving forward on schedule, calling the report inaccurate.
• Opposition lawmakers pressed the ministry, noting a past case where a similar artillery deal was swapped for HIMARS rocket launchers due to US production shortages, and asked what Taiwan would do if the same happened again.
• Koo said the ministry has not been told of any such change and will keep insisting on the original M109A7 purchase to meet military readiness needs.

Outlook: Taiwan's defense ministry says it will hold firm on buying the newer howitzers, though past precedent shows US supply constraints could still force changes down the line.