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| MH-60R Seahawk (Image: Wiki Commons) |
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Taiwan’s military recently confirmed that it intends to purchase ten Seahawk aircraft.
Last week, the chief of staff of the Republic of China Navy (ROCN), Vice Admiral Hsiao Wei-ming, confirmed that Taiwan is seeking to purchase several MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopters from the United States, Focus Taiwan reports.
We plan to purchase 10 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters,” Vice Admiral Hsiao said during a testimony in front of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
Once acquired, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter will be the most advanced anti-submarine warfare helicopter in the ROCN, according to Hsiao, and will replace the Navy’s aging fleet of MD Defender 500 aircraft. Defense News quoted one expert calling the MD Defender 500 ”worn out” and incapable of finding “a submarine unless it was washed up on the beach.”
In July, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense still did not want to commit to the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and tried to downplay its interest. ”Taiwan is looking to replace its ageing fleet of MD 500, the Republic of China Navy is still considering what next-generation anti-submarine helicopters meet its requirements,” a ministry spokesperson said back then. “MH-60R is currently not the only option being considered by the RoCN,” which is now “conducting a full assessment of its interests and combat needs before identifying a specific helicopter,” he added, according to IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly.
Read the full story at The Diplomat