Taiwan ships 1 billion bullets to United States: report

AFP ^ | 06 Nov 2007 | AFP

[BGHater]

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan has shipped one billion rifle bullets to the United States for NT$560 million in a rare arms sale to the United States, it was reported yesterday.

The 5.56 mm bullets are mainly used to replenish supplies which have run low after wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Taipei-based China Times reported, citing a military source.

Taiwan's defence ministry last year beat off competition from the likes of Singapore and South Korea to win the five-year contract from a U.S. military subcontractor, it was reported.

In a separate deal, the China Times said the Taiwanese Army plans to purchase 60 UH-60M Black Hawk transport helicopters from Washington for NT$71.7 billion.

The US is the leading arms supplier to Taiwan -- something China objects to -- with Beijing regarding the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

Taiwan has been seeking more advanced weaponry amid China's repeated threats to invade.

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian last week accused China of provoking the island by targeting it with nearly 1,000 missiles.

Tensions between Taipei and Beijing escalated since the independence leaning leader was elected president in 2000. He was narrowly re-elected in 2004.

[Unassuaged]

With any luck this will depress the cost of 5.56 ammo. 35-50 cents a round now!

[Keith Brown]

What grain wt? What quality? How does it group?

Anyone use this stuff?

[BOBTHENAILER]

Prayers that at least 10 million of these find a worthy home in the bodies of Islamic terrorists.

[dighton]

Regarding AFP and ‘bullets’

[org.whodat]

What grain wt? What quality? How does it group? Anyone use this stuff?

Jacketed military bullets.

[Calpernia]

I’m confused. Aren’t bullets made of steel? Wouldn’t this fall under the Berry Amendment?

[ridesthemiles]

I don’t like to buy anything made outside the USA, which is getting harder and harder to do.
Why would I use bullets made who knows where to protect myself and my property???

[1rudeboy]

A billion bullets here, a billion bullets there, and pretty soon you’re talking real bang bang.

[Pistolshot]

I was told at the shop I work at on weekends that ammo prices are going up 20% by December and another 20% in February.

If you can get primers, powder, and cases, I suggest stocking up now.

[oldbill]

Looks like America can have guns and butter - both of them imported.

Remember the “Arsenal of Democracy”?

[batter]

With any luck this will depress the cost of 5.56 ammo. 35-50 cents a round now!

Amen!

[WakeUpAndVote]

Sad, we can not even make our own bullets anymore.

[batter]

Yeah, I doubt ammo will be going down anytime soon. First, China and India's economic growth and greater demands on the market for raw materials (metals, for example) which are used in ammo. Second, I understand that Winchester had to switch all 5.56mm production to military in order to fulfill their contract, further depleting the 5.56 supply in the civilian market.

Looks like we better get used to pricey ammo for some time to come and try to stock up when you can get a decent deal.

[Petronski]

Lead with a copper jacket and a brass cartridge.

[Red_Devil 232]

Why not the whole lot?

[em2vn]

The U.S. military will be using them. I think if you get your hands on any of those rounds you can feel secure in using them.

[Calpernia]

I didn’t see lead in the story. How do you know these are made of lead? Do you know what company it is?

[Petronski]

Well, I don’t KNOW they’re made of lead.

I’m just saying that lead is what is almost always used. And where lead is banned for bullet manufacture, they use an alloy of bismuth, of all things.

I’m working from memory here, but I’m fairly certain of this.

[WackySam]

With any luck this will depress the cost of 5.56 ammo. 35-50 cents a round now!

WOW! I haven't kept up- I bought 4k of Winchester Q3131 a while back and it only cost 140 per 1k.