Taiwan Military News Thread

[Clouded Leopard]

I had heard rumours that it was hypersonic (like the Sunburn)

Sunburn is not hypersonic. It's around Mach 2+.


And as Fu said, HF-3 is a Mach 2.2-2.5 missile.

 

[Deleted member 675]

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Taiwan has started negotiations with the US regarding the procurement of 66 F-16 fighter aircraft in order to strengthen its national defense, Deputy Minister of National Defense Ko Cheng-heng (柯承亨) said. Ko's comments appeared in an interview published in Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun yesterday.

Ko was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the arms purchase bill passed by the legislature in the middle of last month -- which included funds for the acquisition of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft -- would help narrow the gap in military capacity between Taiwan and China.

Ministry of National Defense estimates show that the arms purchase will help maintain a ratio in military capabilities of 1:1.67 between Taiwan and China until 2035. This ratio, Ko said, would allow Taiwan to defend itself.

The legislature has already made it clear it will pass a classified budget for the purchase of 66 F16C/D fighter jets, pending approval by the US, he said.

 

[Clouded Leopard]

A military ratio of 1 capability for Taiwan against a 1.67 capability for China sounds awfully optimistic to me, let alone claiming that such a ratio will be maintained until the year 2035.

 

[Deleted member 675]

A military ratio of 1 capability for Taiwan against a 1.67 capability for China sounds awfully optimistic to me, let alone claiming that such a ratio will be maintained until the year 2035.

Meh, I wouldn't give any attention to such statistics - they're just a distraction. They're even more worthless given we have no idea how they're calculated.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

President Chen Shui-bian has said in an interview with the Whasington Post that his administration will continue to appropriate budgets for procurement of advanced weaponry systems to beef up Taiwan's defense capabilities in the face of China's mounting military threat. The prestigious U.S. newspaper published Chen's interview in its Sunday issue.

Chen said in the interview that he is pleased with the recent passage by Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature of partial funding for his administration's plan to procure certain sophisticated weapons from the United States. Because of partisan strife, the Legislative Yuan didn't pass the government's 2007 budget bill until June 15. The approved bill includes budgets for procurement of a squadron of 12 P3-C submarine-hunting aircraft, upgrading of the Patriot PAC II anti-missile batteries and a feasibility study for a diesel-electric submarine procurement project. However, the budget for a Patriot PAC III anti-missile batteries purchase plan was killed.

Chen told Washington Post reporters that his administration will set aside funds for the Patriot PAC III procurement project in the 2008 budget bill. According to Chen, the legislature deleted the PAC III budget mainly because the proposal didn't pass a referendum in March 2004. Now that the "three-year" time-limit for the project has expired, Chen said, his administration will come up with a relevant budget plan for legislative deliberation again. Under Taiwan's regulation, any subject that was rejected in a referendum should not be brought up for discussion again in three years.

In the interview, Chen also expressed his hope that the government's 2008 military budget can be increased to 3 percent of Taiwan's annual gross domestic product (GDP) to underscore the its resolve to renovate its defense arsenal and reinforce its defense capabilities.

 

[yehe]

Just a way to lure the people to think that Taiwan have enough of military power to fend off the Mainland militarily, so some of the Taiwanese wouldnt worry about mainland when they want to declare independence. Political propaganda, its normal.

 

[unknauthr]

President reaffirms commitment to Defense Budget increase

President Chen Shui-bian has said in an interview with the Whasington Post that his administration will continue to appropriate budgets for procurement of advanced weaponry systems to beef up Taiwan's defense capabilities in the face of China's mounting military threat. The prestigious U.S. newspaper published Chen's interview in its Sunday issue.

Attached is a link to the full Washington Post interview:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Pretty much everything that we would expect to hear:

Everyone knows that three "pillars" sustained the Kuomintang's [KMT] half-century of one-party rule over Taiwan -- a "Greater China" ideology, a party-state authoritarian system, and rule by martial law.

We are still fighting against the Greater China ideology. This is something that we have yet to finish completely.

Not much new in terms of the latest defense budget authorization. We'll probably have to wait a few more weeks to see any real movement:

The budget that has been passed also includes financial support for the procurement of F-16 C/D fighters, although part of the funds have been frozen. However, we only have to wait until we get the letter of offer and indicate our acceptance in order to release the funds.

 

[bd popeye]

ROC army wants to buy US built attack Apache helos

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Report: Taiwan to Buy Apaches to Counter China Threat

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, TAIPEI

Taiwan’s army is seeking to buy 30 attack helicopters worth more than $2 billion to help counter a mounting military threat from China, a report said July 9.

Taiwan, which has been seeking more advanced weaponry amid Beijing’s repeated threats to invade, plans to spend 73 billion Taiwan dollars (2.26 billion U.S.) on the U.S.-made Apache helicopters, the United Daily News said, citing a "reliable" military source.

The defense ministry declined to comment on the report, which said the package still needed the approval of the U.S. and Taiwan’s parliament.
If approved, the deal will irk Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, and strongly objects to any arms sales from Washington to the island.

"Apache is more powerful than the AH-1W now serving the army. If the reported deal goes through, it would be a boost to Taiwan’s anti-landing defenses," Chang Li-te of the Defense Technology Monthly told AFP.
In January, Taiwan’s president, Chen Shui-bian, accused China in an interview with CNN of provoking the island by targeting it with nearly 1,000 missiles.

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

The Canada-based Kanwa Asian Defence monthly reported in its latest issue that China is building its first aircraft carrier, which is expected to join the Chinese navy in two to four years.

 

[Deleted member 675]

ROC army wants to buy US built attack Apache helos

Taiwanese newspapers have said the 2008 budget request will include 30 Apaches and around 90 Sikorsky MH-60L helicopters to replace the Hueys currently in service.

By the way, the ROC Army has confirmed it prefers the AH64D, as the AH1Z hasn't even entered testing yet.

 

[Deleted member 675]

The Kuang Hua VI missile project is underway again. Construction has started on the 29 main-production model missile boats (the prototype already being in service), with the last due to be completed by the end of 2010.

 

[Deleted member 675]

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

A ranking Taiwan military official is visiting the United States to seek the purchase of 66 F16C/D fighter jets, which the US agreed to sell to Taiwan in 2006 but is now dragging its feet, a newspaper said on Friday.

The China Times quoted an unnamed military source as confirming that Huo Shou-yeh, chief of the general staff, has led a delegation to the US this week and is now in Washington DC to meet with US military officials. Huo may run into US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates 'by accident' and he would tell Gates that Taiwan has an urgent need to buy the F16C/Ds, the source said.

Taiwan does not have diplomatic ties with the US, therefore ranking US officials are not allowed to have formal meetings with Taiwan officials.

The purpose of Huo's secret visit is to seek the purchase of 66 F16C/D which the US agreed to sell to Taiwan in 2006, but is now delaying finalizing the deal, the daily said. Taiwan needs to buy the F16C/Ds to boost its air defence against China which sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and has vowed to recover Taiwan by force if necessary.

The paper said that officials are confused as to why the US is delaying the F16C/D sale after it has told Taipei in private that it would sell the jets.

The US asked Taiwan to pass two budgets for the F16C/Ds before it could approve the selling the F16C/D, the China Times said. Taiwan has passed both budgets, but still the US has not approved the F16C/D sale.

The paper warned that if the F16C/D sale is nixed, it may indicate the end of the 'arms sales honeymoon' between the US and Taiwan.