Photos circulating online show that Taiwan’s light tactical vehicles are equipped with tires of Chinese brands. Minister of National Defense Koo Li-hsiung stated on Tuesday that this batch of tires was purchased in 2020 (Year 109 of the Republic of China calendar). At the time, regulations only restricted the place of origin, not the brand. However, in 2024 (Year 113), all such products have been fully banned, and the Ministry of National Defense will address this situation as soon as possible.
Recently, a photo has circulated online showing a spare tire on the rear of a Taiwanese military light tactical vehicle, leading netizens to question whether the Army procured Chinese brand tires.
Koo Li-hsiung explained that this procurement had a “time lag” background. The batch of tires was purchased in 2020, when procurement rules only required the “country of origin” not to be China, but did not restrict the brand.
Koo further elaborated that since the tires, if unused, have a shelf life of up to ten years, there may still be some currently in inventory or in use. Nonetheless, the Ministry of National Defense will deal with the issue as quickly as possible.