The Global Hawk can see pretty much anything on the surface of the ocean from 300 miles as away. And AWACS can see farther. I think you can see what the implications of that might be.
- Status
The Global Hawk can see pretty much anything on the surface of the ocean from 300 miles as away. And AWACS can see farther. I think you can see what the implications of that might be.
BLUEJACKET
Banned Idiot
Even without the BMs (if that's what they allegedly tested), Tomahawk-derived LACMs may serve as effective detterant!
Hang on a minute
I am really get confused by all these Military Procurement Orders floating around Taiwan these days
How much is Taiwan committed to spending on new weapons now?
I am really get confused by all these Military Procurement Orders floating around Taiwan these days How much is Taiwan committed to spending on new weapons now?
D
Deleted member 675
Guest
Hang on a minute
How much is Taiwan committed to spending on new weapons now?
Yeah, I know - it's easy to think that Taiwan is spending an impossible amount of money on procurement at the moment.
Although the "Big Three" weapons purchases together are very expensive, at the moment only part has been agreed upon. These are being paid for in installments, like all the other orders being placed. The defence budget has decreased as a percentage of GDP in past years, so it has been possible to increase it again to make room for more orders without trashing public finances.
It's important to remember that only the AH-64Ds (officially the actual type hasn't been disclosed) have been requested by the ROCA. Although it looks likely that the UH-60 will win the transport helo order, that won't be requested until next year at the earliest and deliveries look like they will be spaced further out, thus meaning payments can be made less frequently.
Thanks
I dont suppose you (or any other member in the know) could produce a summary of what is agreed, including the costs and payment schedules (if known).
As you say, at face value these are huge sums that Taiwan is committing itself too and potentially they could give it a real hangover well into the future. I am curious as to whether the repayment structure actually exceeds the likely working life of the weapons being purchased.
Cheers
I dont suppose you (or any other member in the know) could produce a summary of what is agreed, including the costs and payment schedules (if known).
As you say, at face value these are huge sums that Taiwan is committing itself too and potentially they could give it a real hangover well into the future. I am curious as to whether the repayment structure actually exceeds the likely working life of the weapons being purchased.
Cheers
D
Deleted member 675
Guest
30 AH-64D IIs reported to be worth $2.8 billion, spread out over 7 years ($623 million in 2008 - first year)
90 UH-60s reported to be worth $4.2 billion (between 2009 and 2019 - no idea if that's payments, deliveries or both)
12 P-3C Orions $1.4 billion, spread out over 7 years ($184 million in 2007 - first year)
PAC-2 upgrades to PAC-3 standard no data on total cost ($105 million in 2007 - first year)
SSK R&D $6 million (to keep project going in 2007 - no funds for construction yet)
66 F-16 C/D $4 billion ($484 million frozen in 2007 until US authorises sale)
The first two have not been included in any budgets yet - the first has only been requested by the ROCA in the 2008 budget. The last four are in the 2007 budget, though that is currently held up in the legislative.
That isn't the case. I'm not sure how long it takes, but certainly the payment schedules are not that slow.
In 1994, Taiwan's military budget was approx. 22.5% of the Central Government's annual budget, roughly 4% of the GDP.
In 2005-2006, Taiwan's military budget had shrunk to 15.3% of the Central Government's annual budget, or roughly 2.1% to 2.4% of its GDP.
If they want to afford these "big ticket" items, the solution is to stop cutting military expenditure and give them a raise. But who would vote for someone who says he's going to raise taxes and cut social spending? X_X
If they ever wonder why the army helicopters are falling out of the sky, they need to understand that while China has been increasing their military expenditure with annual double digit increases, Taiwan had been cutting back over the past 10 years.
In 2005-2006, Taiwan's military budget had shrunk to 15.3% of the Central Government's annual budget, or roughly 2.1% to 2.4% of its GDP.
If they want to afford these "big ticket" items, the solution is to stop cutting military expenditure and give them a raise. But who would vote for someone who says he's going to raise taxes and cut social spending? X_X
If they ever wonder why the army helicopters are falling out of the sky, they need to understand that while China has been increasing their military expenditure with annual double digit increases, Taiwan had been cutting back over the past 10 years.
D
Deleted member 675
Guest
The 2007 budget is 2.85% of GDP - it is expected to rise to about 3% for the 2008 budget.
To be fair the recent accident was blamed on human error, not technical problems.
Taiwan F5F crashed
"TAIPEI (Reuters) - An ageing Taiwan fighter jet crashed on Friday during preparation for an exercise aimed at countering an attack by China, killing two Taiwanese pilots and two visiting Singaporean soldiers on the ground, officials said.
Nine Singaporean servicemen were injured, two seriously, when the two-seater F-5F jet crashed into a storeroom in a military base, Singapore's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
"Two SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) servicemen are injured and are being treated in hospital. Seven others have minor injuries. Two bodies have been found and their identities are being verified," the ministry said.
The base was located in Hukou, Hsinchu County, which is about 50 km (30 miles) south of the capital Taipei.
Due to a lack of adequate space on the small island state for large-scale exercises, Singaporean troops have been coming to train in Taiwan as part of a cooperative agreement -- code-named Operation Starlight -- since 1975.
No reason for the crash had yet been determined, although local media highlighted the age of the F-5F fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s, as a possible factor.
Defense Minister Lee Jye told reporters that the jet, which crashed while attempting to pull out of a low-level attack run, could still be used, but the military was planning to replace them.
"Despite being old, the F-5Fs can still be used if they adequately meet standards. In the future we are planning to replace them with F-16C/D fighters," said Lee.
Taiwan has requested around 60 F-16C/D fighters from the United States, but long delays by parliament in passing a budget for a prior arms package has strained ties and Washington has declined to approve the sale.
The Ministry of Defense has grounded all F-5F fighters, pending the outcome of an investigation into the accident.
The crash comes as Taiwan's military prepares to hold the island's annual Han Kuang live fire drills aimed at repelling an attack from China next week.
Taiwan's Lee said the exercise would be unaffected by the accident.
China claims Taiwan as part of its own territory and has threatened war if the island was ever to declare formal independence.
The Singaporean soldiers were not taking part in the exercises, the Taiwan Defense ministry said." (Quote from Yahoo News)
The F5F fighter aircraft is suppose to be a great piece of work but is too old and badly needed an overhaul. I am guessing this had not been done before the plane crashed.
Any thoughts over this accident?
"TAIPEI (Reuters) - An ageing Taiwan fighter jet crashed on Friday during preparation for an exercise aimed at countering an attack by China, killing two Taiwanese pilots and two visiting Singaporean soldiers on the ground, officials said.
Nine Singaporean servicemen were injured, two seriously, when the two-seater F-5F jet crashed into a storeroom in a military base, Singapore's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
"Two SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) servicemen are injured and are being treated in hospital. Seven others have minor injuries. Two bodies have been found and their identities are being verified," the ministry said.
The base was located in Hukou, Hsinchu County, which is about 50 km (30 miles) south of the capital Taipei.
Due to a lack of adequate space on the small island state for large-scale exercises, Singaporean troops have been coming to train in Taiwan as part of a cooperative agreement -- code-named Operation Starlight -- since 1975.
No reason for the crash had yet been determined, although local media highlighted the age of the F-5F fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s, as a possible factor.
Defense Minister Lee Jye told reporters that the jet, which crashed while attempting to pull out of a low-level attack run, could still be used, but the military was planning to replace them.
"Despite being old, the F-5Fs can still be used if they adequately meet standards. In the future we are planning to replace them with F-16C/D fighters," said Lee.
Taiwan has requested around 60 F-16C/D fighters from the United States, but long delays by parliament in passing a budget for a prior arms package has strained ties and Washington has declined to approve the sale.
The Ministry of Defense has grounded all F-5F fighters, pending the outcome of an investigation into the accident.
The crash comes as Taiwan's military prepares to hold the island's annual Han Kuang live fire drills aimed at repelling an attack from China next week.
Taiwan's Lee said the exercise would be unaffected by the accident.
China claims Taiwan as part of its own territory and has threatened war if the island was ever to declare formal independence.
The Singaporean soldiers were not taking part in the exercises, the Taiwan Defense ministry said." (Quote from Yahoo News)
The F5F fighter aircraft is suppose to be a great piece of work but is too old and badly needed an overhaul. I am guessing this had not been done before the plane crashed.
Any thoughts over this accident?
- Status