TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense announced an eight-year maintenance contract to extend the operational lifespan of its AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters on Wednesday (June 19).

According to the latest tender notice on the government’s e-procurement system, the defense ministry is seeking vendors for a strategic maintenance system for the helicopters, with a budget of NT$3.67 billion (US$113.34 million), Liberty Times reported. The tender is expected to open in July, with the contract commencing in September 2024 and running until the end of 2031. The tender is assigned to the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command and will be executed in Tainan City.

Taiwan purchased 42 SuperCobras from the U.S. in 1992 and an additional 21 in 1997. They are now facing mid-life maintenance challenges. 

The U.S. Marine Corps retired its entire fleet in 2020, making it more difficult for Taiwan to secure spare parts and technical support. To address this, the ministry has signed long-term procurement and technical support contracts to keep its SuperCobras in service.

The current maintenance contract for the SuperCobras is valued at NT$1.26 billion and is set to conclude at the end of this year.