TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s military announced on Wednesday (Nov. 17) that it will buy 12 MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine choppers from U.S. suppliers.

The costs of the procurement will be detailed in the open and confidential budgets for 2022, according to a Liberty Times report.

Officials said the aircraft will not only strengthen the Taiwan Navy’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities but also deliver extra fire support to vessels from the air, in addition to other tasks. The choppers will enable rapid deployment of maritime strike squadrons, a common tactic for the U.S. military.

The Seahawks’ payload will include Hellfire missiles and light anti-submarine torpedoes.

Several legislators were treated to a simulated helicopter ride during a recent visit to Shenying Base (神鷹營區) in New Taipei on Monday (Nov. 15) to check out the Navy’s ASW capabilities. The legislators virtually experienced a chopper landing on a ship deck at sea.

Naval officers also walked with them to a physical hangar to show them 500MD helicopters, and they witnessed an S-70C anti-submarine helicopter taking off.