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| MH-60R Seahawk (Image: Wiki Commons) |
Taiwan's military yesterday confirmed that it is seeking to buy 10 MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopters from the U.S. to replace its existing aging chopper fleet. Fielding questions during an interpellation session at the Legislative Yuan, Deputy Defense Minister Adm. Chen Yung-kang confirmed to lawmakers that the R.O.C. Navy is scheduled to purchase MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine choppers.
"We plan to purchase 10 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters," said Vice Adm. Hsiao Wei-ming, the Navy's chief of staff, in response to questions by a lawmaker during a hearing before the Legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
The purchase is meant to replace the Navy's aging MD500 helicopters that have been in service for decades, he noted.
As Taiwan's military will soon acquire Perry-class frigates from the U.S. to meet its defensive needs, Chen said the Navy needs more cutting edge weapons systems to boost its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
Elaborating on the upcoming project, the Navy Chief of Staff, Rear Adm. Hsiao Wei-min, said the Navy is aiming to buy 10 MH-60R Seahawks from the U.S. because the helicopter has much greater anti-submarine warfare capabilities than the Navy's current choppers.
Read the full story at Navy Recognition