US Sent Taiwan Moldy Armor and Expired Ammo, Watchdog Report Reveals

A Pentagon investigation found that military shipments to Taiwan included damaged and unusable equipment, risking US credibility.

Between November 2023 and March 2024, the US sent Taiwan 504 pallets of military gear, with 340 pallets sustaining water damage.
The shipments included 3,000 moldy body armor plates, 500 wet tactical vests, and 2.7 million rounds of expired ammunition from 1983.
Taiwanese authorities spent weeks drying and inventorying the damaged equipment, costing American taxpayers at least $730,000.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) warned that the incident could erode Taiwan's confidence in the US as a reliable defense partner.
Pentagon officials acknowledged the issue and committed to improving shipment processes to ensure operational readiness for key allies.