Taipei: Taiwan Have opted to buy anti-submarine helicopters from United States of america Because they are very expensive, its defense minister said on Thursday.
The island was planning to purchase 12 Seahawk helicopters, but the deal was canceled because Taipei preferred a lower-cost, more mobile weapon to counter any threat from China.
Local media reported earlier this year that sales could drop later. Washington concluded that helicopters were not the best bet for Taiwan’s “asymmetric warfare” needs.
Taiwan has shifted to an “porcupine” strategy that seeks to equip the island to repel an attack by a large Chinese force.
Defense Minister on Thursday chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed that the helicopter deal was dead.
“We think the price is too high and it’s way beyond our capacity,” he told lawmakers.
Taiwan’s 23 million people live under constant threat of invasion from China, which considers the democratic island its territory.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has fueled fears that Beijing may one day comply with threats to annex its smaller neighbour.
Earlier this week Taiwan’s Defense Ministry revealed that there were obstacles to major deliveries of other weapons from the United States.
The Russo-Ukraine War has led to a shortage of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, while production line issues delayed the delivery of the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.
Chiu indicated that Taiwan is now looking for a suitable replacement.
“We have other options and we will certainly have accountable measures. We will not raise our hands because (these weapons) are not available. The military will do our job of preparing for war,” Chiu told lawmakers.
Stingers are highly portable shoulder-launched missiles that are invaluable to Ukrainian forces fighting Russian air power.
The M109A6 Paladins are massive artillery guns mounted on a tank chassis that can be moved easily, making them hard to spot and take out.
Western countries are sending thousands of surface-to-air missiles and shoulder-mounted launchers to Ukraine, which are effective against helicopters and low-flying aircraft. Washington has promised 1,400.
Stingers maker Raytheon Technologies said last month that it would not be able to accelerate production of missiles before 2023 due to a shortage of parts.
The United States agreed to sell 250 Stinger missiles to Taiwan in 2019 as part of a deal worth more than $2.2 billion, which China opposed.
Washington remains Taipei’s major ally and major arms supplier, despite a change in diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1979.
The island was planning to purchase 12 Seahawk helicopters, but the deal was canceled because Taipei preferred a lower-cost, more mobile weapon to counter any threat from China.
Local media reported earlier this year that sales could drop later. Washington concluded that helicopters were not the best bet for Taiwan’s “asymmetric warfare” needs.
Taiwan has shifted to an “porcupine” strategy that seeks to equip the island to repel an attack by a large Chinese force.
Defense Minister on Thursday chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed that the helicopter deal was dead.
“We think the price is too high and it’s way beyond our capacity,” he told lawmakers.
Taiwan’s 23 million people live under constant threat of invasion from China, which considers the democratic island its territory.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has fueled fears that Beijing may one day comply with threats to annex its smaller neighbour.
Earlier this week Taiwan’s Defense Ministry revealed that there were obstacles to major deliveries of other weapons from the United States.
The Russo-Ukraine War has led to a shortage of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, while production line issues delayed the delivery of the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.
Chiu indicated that Taiwan is now looking for a suitable replacement.
“We have other options and we will certainly have accountable measures. We will not raise our hands because (these weapons) are not available. The military will do our job of preparing for war,” Chiu told lawmakers.
Stingers are highly portable shoulder-launched missiles that are invaluable to Ukrainian forces fighting Russian air power.
The M109A6 Paladins are massive artillery guns mounted on a tank chassis that can be moved easily, making them hard to spot and take out.
Western countries are sending thousands of surface-to-air missiles and shoulder-mounted launchers to Ukraine, which are effective against helicopters and low-flying aircraft. Washington has promised 1,400.
Stingers maker Raytheon Technologies said last month that it would not be able to accelerate production of missiles before 2023 due to a shortage of parts.
The United States agreed to sell 250 Stinger missiles to Taiwan in 2019 as part of a deal worth more than $2.2 billion, which China opposed.
Washington remains Taipei’s major ally and major arms supplier, despite a change in diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1979.