ROC President Ma Ying-jeou unveiled the first of Taiwan’s P-3C Orion antisubmarine aircraft Oct. 31, stating that they will play a key role in strengthening national defense and coastal surveillance capabilities.
“These new aircraft underscore the concrete results of efforts to bolster military readiness in the face of traditional and nontraditional threats,” Ma said.
The president made the remarks during a ceremony at the ROC air force’s 439th Combined Wing based in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County.
Manufactured in 1973, the P-3C arrived in Taiwan in September after being brought out of mothballs and refitted with new avionics and equipment, Ma said. “It is one of the most advanced airplanes in the world and no different from those currently in service with the U.S. military.”
The aircraft is one of 12 ordered from the U.S. as part of a US$2.23 billion arms deal announced by Washington in 2007. Other components of the package are T-56 turboprop engines and associated equipment and services worth US$1.96 billion. According to the delivery schedule, three more P-3Cs will arrive by year-end, five in 2014 and the remainder throughout 2015.
“Warming cross-strait relations over the past five years do not mean we can become complacent on national defense,” Ma said. “The reality is that there has been no change in mainland China’s military strategy against Taiwan.
“We must be fully prepared to achieve the goal of resolute defense and effective deterrence.”
The P-3C also symbolizes close Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation, Ma said, adding that Washington’s approval of US$18.3 billion in arms deal over the past four years reaffirms its commitment to Taipei under the Taiwan Relations Act.
“Since I took office in May 2008, significant results have been achieved as we work to improve relations with the U.S., restore mutual trust and promote bilateral exchanges using a low-profile and surprise-free approach.
“The fact that former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said two years ago that Taiwan is an important security and economic partner of the U.S. demonstrates that bilateral relations have greatly improved.” (RC-JSM)
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