Taiwan is moving closer to receiving the long-anticipated Mk 48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology heavyweight torpedoes and support systems from the United States after repeated delays. Under the new delivery schedule, the ROC Navy will first acquire four training simulators in 2026, followed by 14 torpedoes in 2027 and 10 in 2028, as outlined in the Ministry of National Defense’s most recent budget plan.
The procurement is tied to a foreign military sale worth NT$5.46 billion ($178 million), which Washington approved nearly eight years ago. Although Taipei initially expected to complete deliveries by 2028, the timeline slipped to 2030 due to production hurdles. Raytheon had to restart the manufacturing line since the last batch of Mk 48 torpedoes rolled out almost three decades ago.
Taiwanese officials now appear determined to get deliveries back in line with the original schedule. The advanced submarine-launched weapons are intended to replace the navy’s aging German-built torpedoes, ensuring greater lethality and survivability in regional waters.
Each Mk 48 Mod 6 torpedo weighs nearly 1.7 tons, with a 650-pound warhead capable of inflicting severe damage on enemy vessels. Its depth, speed, and advanced guidance features make it a formidable undersea weapon. With sophisticated sonar and digital controls, the system can adapt to new threats and technological advancements, giving Taiwan’s navy a significant upgrade in underwater combat capability.
