U.S. delivers moldy body armor to Taiwan, causing delays

Between November 2023 and March 2024, the U.S. delivered over 3,000 damaged body armor plates and 500 tactical vests to Taiwan as part of a military assistance package. The equipment, which was meant to bolster Taiwan's defenses, arrived wet and moldy due to inadequate storage conditions at Travis Air Force Base, where 67% of the pallets sustained water damage. The report from the Defense Department inspector general highlighted failures in following proper guidelines for equipment delivery, leading to significant delays and additional costs of approximately $730,000 for cleaning and replacing the damaged items. The inspector general's findings indicated that miscommunication regarding the responsibility for arranging delivery flights contributed to the issues. As a result, Taiwanese authorities faced weeks of work to dry and unpack the contaminated equipment. The report emphasized that such performance could undermine Taiwan's trust in the U.S. as a reliable partner in defense. In addition to the moldy body armor, the report noted that some of the 2.7 million rounds of ammunition sent to Taiwan were expired and improperly packaged. This further raised concerns about the quality of military assistance being provided. The Pentagon acknowledged the need for improved processes and plans to ensure that future shipments meet operational standards. The situation underscores the importance of effective communication and adherence to guidelines in military cooperation, especially with key partners like Taiwan. The U.S. government expressed its commitment to learning from these experiences to enhance future support and maintain Taiwan's confidence in American assistance.