[Source/Observer Network, Mountain Cat]
According to reports by Taiwan's United Daily News and other media outlets, despite the continuous efforts of the Taiwanese military in recent years to seek US arms purchases, it has recently been reported that the MH-60R "Seahawk" anti-submarine helicopter and E-2D early warning aircraft intended for purchase by the Taiwanese navy and air force have been rejected by the US side on the grounds that they "do not conform to asymmetric warfare capabilities."
Previously, the US side had demanded that the Taiwan authorities increase their military budget. In response, Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen pledged to raise defense spending to 3% of the island's gross domestic product (GDP). As a result, the Taiwan authorities' defense department and military formulated several weapons procurement plans, with priority projects including 100 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and配套M982 "Excalibur" guided artillery shells for the Taiwanese army, 12 (plus one optional) MH-60R "Seahawk" anti-submarine helicopters for the navy, and six E-2D "Advanced Hawkeye" early warning aircraft for the air force.
(Illustrative image) US Navy E-2D "Advanced Hawkeye" carrier-based early warning aircraft
However, at the end of last month, Vice Minister of Taiwan's Defense Department, Po Hung-hui, visited the US after attending the delivery ceremony of the first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet ordered by Taiwan's authorities. During his meeting with US military officials, the US side clearly expressed that the E-2D and MH-60R do not conform to the construction of asymmetric warfare capabilities, thus deciding not to assist in obtaining these equipment. This can almost be seen as another refusal by the US side to Taiwan's request to purchase E-2D. As early as 2020, the Taiwanese military had planned to purchase E-2D early warning aircraft to replace the aging E-2K. However, due to the previous Biden administration's push for "asymmetric warfare capabilities," the sale was refused. Last year, the Taiwanese military again drew up a large-scale arms procurement plan with the hope that after the change of administration following the US election, related equipment would be approved for purchase. However, they did not expect that the US side has still not changed its stance until now.
In addition to aging airframes, Taiwan's current airborne early warning fleet has also experienced operational gaps due to accidents, such as an E-2K that ran off the runway during landing in November 2022 causing damage to the aircraft.
Taiwan's Up Media website reported last Sunday (April 27) that the US side stated that the E-2D does not conform to the construction of asymmetric warfare capabilities. A total of eight MQ-9A/B drones approved for sale to Taiwan can supplement aerial reconnaissance and early warning capabilities, so it is inappropriate to spend over 60 billion new Taiwan dollars on early warning aircraft. The reason for rejecting the MH-60R is the same. After being rejected, the Taiwan Defense Department hurriedly contacted the US privately to confirm and adjusted the priority procurement projects. Thus, six HH-60W combat rescue helicopters, which were not funded due to budget constraints for the Taiwan "Air Force Rescue Team," are now included. This type of helicopter is advanced, especially with a maximum range of 1,110 kilometers, nearly twice that of the standard "Black Hawk" helicopter, allowing direct flights from northern Taiwan to Okinawa (possibly referring to the main island of Okinawa). If feasible, it will be used to replace the existing EC-225 "Super Puma" and S-70C-6 helicopters. However, the report also acknowledges that the HH-60W is currently undergoing full replacement in the US military, so it remains uncertain whether the US side will agree to sell it before fulfilling the Air Force's replacement needs.
(Illustrative image) US Air Force HH-60W combat rescue helicopter. Its ability to "fly directly from northern Taiwan to Okinawa" naturally raises questions about the true intentions of the Taiwanese military's purchase...
Regarding the rejection of the purchase requests, relevant personnel from the Taiwanese military also made statements. Rear Admiral Chiu Chun-rong, Chief of Staff of Taiwan's Navy, stated that there is indeed a demand for high-mobility, wide-range search anti-submarine helicopters in the Taiwanese navy. Currently, both purchasing new aircraft and upgrading existing equipment are under assessment. Until the "project proposal process" is completed and funding is obtained, no further details can be disclosed externally. Major General Jiang Yuanqi, Director of the Planning Division of Taiwan's Air Force Command, stated that the Taiwanese military will continue to seek purchases of any weapon systems that contribute to enhancing combat capabilities through various US communication channels. Regarding the news of purchasing HH-60W helicopters, he made the same statement as Rear Admiral Chiu, indicating that the project is still in the planning stage and will not disclose details before the project is funded.
This article is an exclusive contribution by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498646574583595572/
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