The 200 Patriot missiles will be installed in three missile batteries in northern Taiwan. The only surface-to-air radar-guided anti-missile system ever tested in combat, Patriot missiles were used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War to defend against Scud missile attacks. The ROC Army will spend over US$385 million to deploy 200 fourth-generation Patriot missiles-the most improved version. Taiwan also has acquired 42 AH-1W Cobra attack and 26 OH-58D Kiowa scout helicopters. Other major eqipment items include M109 and M110 self-propelled artillery M113, V-150, and CM-21 armored personnel carriers UH-1H helicopters Kung-feng 6A rocket systems TOW-type anti-tank guided weapons Chaparral SP, Hawk, Tien-kung (Sky Bow), and Tien-chien (Sky Sword) air defense missile systems as well as Hsiung-feng I and Hsiung-feng II anti-ship missile systems. In late 1998 there was some informal discussion of an American sale of a number of surplus M-1 Abrams tanks (armed with the 105mm gun) at a unit price of around US$1.4 million, but as of mid-1999 this scheme remained speculative. Taiwan is acquiring a total of 480 M-60A3 tanks they will join an already large tank force consisting of some 450 M-48H and 300 M-48A5 medium tanks and over 1,000 much older M-41 and M-24 light tanks (most of which are said to be in storage). In August 1997 it was announced that the United States would transfer 180 surplus M60A3 tanks to Taiwan over the following 12 months in a deal worth about $1 million per vehicle. In June 1996 the US annunced an agreement for selling Taiwan 300 M60A3 main battle tanks with thermal sights and 105mm gun for $223 million. The primary weapon systems of the ROC ground forces include M48H and M60A3 tanks, and by 2005 Taiwan will an armor force of about 1,500 tanks. The Taiwan Army's equipment modernization effort has focused on improving mobility and fire power, primarily through the acquisition of tanks, helicopters, and short-range air defense missiles.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |