TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Arms purchases are made based on Taiwan’s defensive needs, Air Force Planning Director Major General Chiang Yuan-chi (江元琦) said at a press conference on Tuesday, in response to rumors that the US rejected certain weapons sale requests.
Regarding E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft, Chiang said that all equipment needs are planned in accordance with future threat assessments, CNA reported.
The Taiwan Air Force is reportedly planning to purchase six E-2D aircraft from the US to replace its fleet of older Hawkeye variants. The E-2D’s radar system has superior surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, particularly for detecting stealth aircraft.
Any equipment that can enhance combat capabilities will be pursued through strategic planning, US-Taiwan military discussions, and formal procurement channels, Chiang said, adding that proposals will not be disclosed publicly until budgets and projects are approved.
As for HH-60W Pave Hawk helicopters, Chiang said procuring all-weather search and rescue helicopters is still under planning, based on threat forecasts. "Everything is still in the planning stage," he said.
Taiwan’s military procured 60 Black Hawks from the US in 2010. Earlier this month, the Army revealed it was planning to purchase 30 armed Black Hawk helicopters and upgrade 30 of its existing UH-60M utility helicopters to carry weapons.
Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said that buying anti-submarine warfare MH-60R Sea Hawks depends on the Navy’s operational needs and threat scenarios. Anti-submarine helicopters are highly mobile and have wide-area search capabilities, which make them suitable for countering gray-zone tactics, conducting maritime surveillance, and protecting sea lines of communication, Chiu said.
The Navy continues to assess options for new procurement and upgrades to existing platforms, he said.
Taiwan’s plans to purchase 12 Seahawk helicopters in 2022 were put on hold by the Biden Administration for reportedly not matching asymmetric defense goals.
