Fire in Aging US-Made Tracked Gun in Taiwan
REPORTER:
Taiwan's military is reporting a fire on one of its self-propelled howitzers.
The fire in the M109A5’s driver cabin happened during combat readiness exercises and caused second-degree burns to one servicemember. Investigators are looking into the cause. Taiwan has an aging fleet of artillery vehicles, mostly acquired from the US in the 80s and 90s. The country is awaiting newer US systems before these are phased out.
The M109A5 was purchased from the U.S. and delivered to Taiwan in 1998, and has remained in service for 21 years.
The Army's 6th Army Corps confirmed today that an M109A5 self-propelled howitzer belonging to the 542nd Armored Brigade caught fire for unknown reasons during a combat readiness mission within its base this morning. The incident resulted in partial second-degree burns to the face and limbs of a sergeant surnamed Li. Fire trucks were immediately dispatched to extinguish the blaze, and the injured soldier was sent to the hospital.
- Incident: An M109A5 self-propelled howitzer assigned to the 542nd Combined Arms Brigade caught fire inside the vehicle cabin during base movement for a combat readiness mission.
- Casualties: One NCO (Sergeant Lee) suffered 2nd-degree burns to his face and limbs. He remains conscious, is not in life-threatening condition, and is being treated at Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital.
- Immediate Response: Firefighting equipment was dispatched immediately to extinguish the blaze, and the soldier's family was notified and briefed by medical staff.
- Follow-up Action: The 6th Army Corps Command is setting up a special task force to investigate and establish the root cause of the fire.
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