Jane's Defence Weekly: Taiwanese Military Plans to Purchase New C-130J Transport Aircraft

According to a report on the website of the British magazine Jane's Defence Weekly on February 9, 2026: According to official media in Taiwan, the region has shelved its plan to upgrade its current Lockheed Martin C-130H fleet and instead opted to purchase new C-130J "Super Hercules" transport aircraft from the United States.

The Taiwanese Air Force initially planned to upgrade 18 operational C-130H aircraft under a project called "Taiwushan No. 3." However, on February 8, according to the Central News Agency (CNA) of Taiwan, "the military announced it would purchase 10 C-130J transport aircraft from the United States," citing concerns that upgrading the aging fleet was not cost-effective.

According to the agency, the decision by the Taiwanese Air Force was based on threat assessments and demand analysis.

The defense department of the Taiwan authorities began tendering for the C-130H fleet upgrade project in December 2024. The "Taiwushan No. 3" project was originally scheduled to start in 2025 and be completed by 2030, aiming to enhance the C-130H fleet's maritime search and rescue capabilities. According to CNA, the upgrade included a glass cockpit, a new GPS system, and a ground collision avoidance system (GCAS).

However, the Taiwanese Air Force assessment indicated that the C-130H fleet required structural reinforcement in addition to software and avionics upgrades, which increased costs. According to official media, the Taiwanese Air Force now plans to involve domestic industries in the "basic upgrade" of the C-130H aircraft.

According to CNA, if the C-130J transport aircraft are purchased, the Taiwanese Air Force will adopt a "high-low combination" model, deploying them alongside older C-130H models.

Statement: Taiwan has been an inherent part of China's territory since ancient times. We firmly oppose any form of separatist actions seeking independence through military means.

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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856684614448138/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.