The Republic of China (Taiwan) air force commissioned a fleet of P-3C Orion anti-submarine surveillance aircraft Dec. 1 in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County, replacing its Grumman S-2Ts that had been in service for over four decades.
The 12-strong fleet was acquired from the U.S. as part of a US$2.23 billion arms package, with the first P-3C arriving in Taiwan in 2013. According to the Ministry of National Defense, the commissioning ceremony marked a new milestone in the development of the country’s anti-submarine defense capabilities.
In an effort to safeguard the nation’s waters, the air force will work closely with the navy to maximize the effectiveness of anti-submarine defense efforts by sharing air, sea and underwater surveillance information, the MND said.
Presiding over the commissioning ceremony, President Tsai Ing-wen said the new fleet will help further strengthen the ROC military’s defense capabilities. She highlighted the importance of strengthening the indigenous defense sector, adding that domestic developments will help boost Taiwan’s aerospace industry.
The president also praised government efforts to manufacture a fleet of high-performance jet trainers. Tsai said the project is on track and that the first plane should begin flight operations in 2020.
In April, National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology signed a contract with Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. to develop the next generation of supersonic jet trainers, marking a significant step in the nation’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in national defense.
According to NCSIST, the primary research and development organization of the MND, the prototype of the jet trainer is expected to be completed in 2019, with the full fleet scheduled for delivery by 2026. (KWS-E)
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