Taiwan's brand new AH-64E Apache helicopter crashes

The co-pilot of one of Taiwan's new AH-64E Apache helicopters was the only one injured when the attack helicopter crashed into a residential building in Taoyuan County Friday morning during flight training, the Army said.Early reports said both the pilot and co-pilot had been injured.

The aircraft had to make a forced landing on top of the three-story building because of an emergency situation. The Army said it was mostly intact despite the rough landing, and no other injuries, civilian or military, had been reported.Liu Ming-hui, the 35-year-old co-pilot who was in control of the aircraft sustained only minor scratches to his face, the Army Aviation Special Forces Command said.

The accident occurred at around 10 a.m. during a flight training supervised by pilot Chen Lung-chien, an instructor who received Apache flight training in the United States, the Army said.The Army said it has formed a joint investigation team with technical representatives from the United States to look into possible causes behind the accident, which may be due to human error or mechanical failure.

Why Taiwan Wants Submarines

Image Credit: flickr/ JillChen


So let’s have one, or maybe two, hearty huzzah!s for last week’s announcement that the United States will help Taiwan construct a fleet of diesel submarines. The Taiwan Navy can integrate these denizens of the shallows into a people’s-war-at-sea strategy that’s sure to give any invading force fits. Inventively deployed alongside shore-based anti-ship missiles and fleet-of-foot surface craft like the navy’s new Hsun Hai and Kuang Hua VI missile boats, subs can add that (mostly) missing undersea dimension to Taipei’s offshore defense. Up, down, and out! as U.S. Navy surface-ship mariners used to say. Gee … I wonder why no one thought of this before?

The concept, then, merits a cheer. Its execution, not so much. The reality is that putting the concept into effect will take a long time and demand a wrenching cultural change within the Taiwan Navy. The hour is late to get started with an enterprise of this scope and ambition.

Why the delay? Eight diesel boats comprised part of the weapons package the Bush administration offered Taipei all the way back in 2001. Yet Taiwan’s Nationalist Party (KMT) held up the sale in the legislature for no apparent reason except that President Chen Shui-bian wanted it. Narrow partisanship between KMT lawmakers and Chen’s Democratic Progressive Party thus needlessly retarded the Taiwan Navy’s efforts to reinvent itself for new realities. And guess what? Had the sale gone forward back then, Taiwanese submariners might be plying the seas girding the island by now. Instead, its defense lags. Thanks, folks!

Designing and building ROCN boats will consume time for pragmatic reasons as well. No one except Washington appears prepared to help in this endeavor, but no American shipyard has built diesel submarines since the 1950s. The last class of U.S. Navy diesel boats left service by 1990. That’s a long lapse in expertise to make up. And it takes a while to implement a weapons program even under ideal circumstances. Presumably shipbuilders will draw up designs, a competition will be held, contracts will be worked out, construction will proceed in fits and starts…. You know the routine by now. First-in-class vessels are just hard.

There could be an alliance dimension to this, however. One way to expedite the process would be for a European maker to transfer a design to Taiwan, or even sell the ROCN ready-made boats. The Germans, for instance, make nifty boats. China, needless to say, is quick to anger about such things, and our European friends balk at incurring its ire. But at the same time, Europeans are always wondering aloud how they can help the United States pivot to Asia. Well, here’s one way. Helping a small country defend itself from a predatory neighbor is something that should resonate in NATO capitals these days. It may be time for American diplomats to play some hardball with NATO allies – strong arming them into relaxing weapons export bans vis-à-vis Taiwan.

It would do the Naval Diplomat’s heart some good to see some shiny German Type 214s bobbing around in the Taiwan Strait and Western Pacific, bearing that nifty Republic of China sunburst – or to know they’re prowling beneath the waves. That would help the Taiwanese – and their friends on this side of the Pacific Ocean – sleep better. Let’s help Taipei help itself.

http://thediplomat.com/2014/04/why-taiwan-wants-submarines/

Washington agrees to help Taiwan build attack submarines

The United States has agreed to help Taiwan build attack submarines, as the island has spent nearly a decade waiting to acquire them from abroad, the Taiwanese defense chief said Monday.

Minister of National Defense Yen Ming told a legislative committee that the United States "is willing to help us build the submarines together."Yen also said Taiwan will continue to push the United States to sell eight submarines to Taiwan and to acquire submarines from other countries.In 2001 the United States agreed to sell eight submarines to Taiwan but it no longer builds non-nuclear-powered subs. And countries capable of building conventional submarines hesitate to provide them to Taiwan, fearing political consequences from China.

Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since they split amid a civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to use military force if Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province, formally declares independence.Taiwan currently has two Dutch-built diesel submarines acquired in the 1980s and at least two World War II-vintage submarines for training.

The Democratic Progressive Party, which ruled the island between 2000 and 2008, approved a plan in 2003 allowing Taiwanese shipbuilders to construct some of the eight submarines. But the plan fell through due to opposition of the Nationalist Party (KMT).The DPP proposed last month a two-stage program to build eight submarines domestically, estimated at NT$400 billion (about US$13 billion).

Meanwhile, while the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill authorizing the sale of four decommissioned guided missile frigates to Taiwan, Yen said Taiwan needs only two to replace older warships.Critics question the necessity of acquiring the decommissioned frigates, saying the 29-year-old warships are expensive to maintain and the Taiwan navy should build warships and missiles of its own.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/kyodo-news-international/140414/washington-agrees-help-taiwan-build-attack-submarines

China's defense minister warns U.S. against Taiwan arms sales

China's defense minister on Tuesday urged the United States to stop a bill that reaffirms commitment to Taiwan and calls for continued arms sales to the island.

"China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. House of Representatives passage of a Taiwan-related bill," Chang Wanquan told reporters after his talks with U.S. counterpart Chuck Hagel on Tuesday.

Chang's comments came after the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill that reaffirms the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act and the House's unwavering commitment to Taiwan, and calls on the Obama administration to sell Perry-class frigates to Taiwan."U.S. arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the principles specified in the August 17 Communique," Chang said.Under this 1982 agreement, the United States agreed to gradually reduce its arms sales to Taiwan.

"We urge the U.S. Congress to stop promoting any Taiwan-related bills and the government to prevent the Congress from reviewing the bill," Chang said, adding this can help avoid undermining China-U.S. relations and cross-Strait peaceful development."China-U.S.competition is not zero-sum," he added, calling on the two countries to avoid the past confrontations between major powers.Chang said China and the United States should take a brand-new view of bilateral relations and seek cooperation and common prosperity.

"The two countries should first avoid conflict or confrontation in the military sector," Chang said, stressing he and Hagel, both as veterans with war experience, have deep knowledge of dangers resulting from wars."As leaders of defense departments, we have the responsibility to do something to avoid conflict or confrontation," said Chang.Hagel arrived in Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province on Monday for his first China visit as U.S. defense chief. He visited China's Liaoning aircraft carrier on Monday afternoon.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90883/8592288.html

U.S. House approves sale of warships to Taiwan

he U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed by unanimous consent legislation reaffirming the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act and authorizing the sale of four Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigates to Taiwan.

The Taiwan Relations Act Affirmation and Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2014 will now be forwarded to the Senate for further actions.The bill authorizes the sale of four frigates -- the USS Taylor (FFG-50), USS Gary (FFG-51), USS Carr (FFG-52) and USS Elrod (FFG-55) -- to Taiwan based on the Taiwan Relations Act, which guides U.S. arms sale policy to Taiwan and the unofficial ties between the two sides.

It states that the law has been "instrumental in maintaining peace, security and stability in the Western Pacific since its enactment in 1979."The legislation reaffirms Congress' "unwavering commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act as the cornerstone of relations between the United States and Taiwan.


http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201404080010.aspx

Indigenous Submarines an Unlikely Dream for Taiwan

A Collins Class submarine Image Credit: Kockums AB via Wikimedia Commons

http://thediplomat.com/2014/03/indigenous-submarines-an-unlikely-dream-for-taiwan/

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Yang Ming has stated that his Ministry of National Defense (MND) is considering the possibility of independently developing small diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), which would displace between 1500 and 2000 tons. After losing the opportunity to procure SSKs from the U.S. in the 2000s, an insufficient number of SSKs has been a major strategic flaw in Taiwan’s deterrence strategy. Its two Guppy II Class SSKs, of World War II vintage, are for training only, leaving two Dutch Zwaardvis Class vessels obtained in the mid-1980s as its only operational assets. In principle, Taiwan does meet several conditions for indigenous submarine development, such as an established ship-building industry and financial affordability; nevertheless, a range of technical and political factors a likely to hinder the project.

Foreign Reliance

Independent SSK design today is still limited in a few traditional arms exporting countries, such as Russia and Germany. Despite their considerable defense industries, Israel and South Korea both rely on German designs and other technical assistance to develop their own SSKs. For inexperienced Taiwan, a purely independent design would be unrealistic. Yet if Taiwan wants to follow the Israeli or Korean pattern, China would doubtless exert comprehensive diplomatic and economic pressure to block its access to countries that have a submarine industry. After withdrawing its offer, the U.S. seems unlikely to provide a second chance in the near future. Moreover, since the U.S. has not produced any SSK since the 1960s, third-party technology would be necessary and again vulnerable to pressure from Beijing. Japan, which has lifted its ban on arms exports, has the potential to be a supplier of submarine technology, and its own geostrategic considerations may favor a stronger Taiwanese deterrence. However, quite apart from Chinese pressure, Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly policies and endless incidents of Chinese espionage among its armed forces may well dissuade Japan from exporting classified technology.

Budget Constraints

In addition to the technical issues, Taipei faces a challenge with its budget. With an economy among the world’s twenty largest, Taiwan ought to have the resources to invest in a submarine project, but the significance of national defense has gradually decreased, despite serious strategic pressure from China. Since democratization in the early 1990s, the share of Taiwan’s GDP allocated to defense has continuously fallen, dipping below 3 percent in the mid-2000s due to domestic political struggles between the minority government and powerful opposite parties. After the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) returned to power in 2008 with a parliamentary majority, it opted to focus on improving relations with China through economic and other integration rather than beefing up national defense.

As a consequence, Taiwan’s defense spending remains below 3 percent of GDP and the number of military projects has declined markedly. Meanwhile, the shift to an all-voluntary military has raised personnel costs, further limiting the funds available for defense investment. Unless policymakers in Taipei radically shift direction, it is unlikely the MND will receive the money for a project as expensive as developing indigenous SSK.

Enough Time?

Even if Taiwan could overcome the technical and budget challenges, building a credible submarine force would be an exceptionally time-consuming exercise. For example, Australia spent more than 15 years developing its flotilla of six Collins Class SSKs, semi-indigenously designed and domestically built. Whether the MND adopts a purely indigenous design or succeeds in obtaining a foreign one, it will still face a series of lengthy tasks including development, trials, modifications and full production. Although Taiwan’s shipbuilding industry has successfully produced frigates, tankers and other types of surface vessels, it’s been four decades since Taiwan built a submarine, and then it was with Italian technical support. Developing the relevant capabilities may thus push the timeframe out even further. Given an increasing military imbalance across the strait, it is doubtful Taiwan can afford to wait that long.

Fait Accompli

Finally, SSKs will not prevent a Chinese fait accompli. In Crimea, Russia’s rapid military deployment created a fait accompli, effectively preventing any Western intervention. China could conceivably do the same, using agents and special troops covered as Chinese tourists, students or businesspeople in Taiwan, aided by airborne divisions backed by its tremendous civil aviation fleets. In that scenario, submarines would be useless. Submarines assume a scenario in which robust Taiwanese resistance withstands missile attacks and air raids, forcing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to conduct a naval blockade operation or launch an amphibious invasion. However, recent events suggest that this scenario may no longer be as realistic as once assumed.

As an instrument of defense, SSKs would indeed be valuable for Taiwan, but defense is shaped by politics. And for Taiwan, the politics are likely to evolve too rapidly for a indigenous submarine project to be truly useful for its security.

Shang-su Wu is a research fellow in the Military Studies Programme, a unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

More photos of Taiwan's first Hsun Hai-class corvette (# 618 ) dubbed ' the aircraft carrier killer' delivered to Taiwan Navy

Taiwan to receive six more Apache helicopters

One of the Apache helicopters delivered to Kaohiung Harbor, Jan. 2. (File photo/Hsieh Ming-tso)

A shipment of six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States is set to arrive in southern Taiwan Monday 17-03-2014, and they will later be flown to a base in Tainan, according to a military source.

The Apaches are scheduled to arrive at Kaohsiung Harbor around mid-day Monday, and will be flown to an Army Aviation Special Forces base in the neighboring city of Tainan after passing initial checks, the source said.This will be the third shipment of a 30-helicopter package that is costing Taiwan more than US$2 billion.The Army said it has also begun deploying the 12 Apache helicopters Taiwan took delivery of to an Army base in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan. All 30 helicopters will be stationed at the Taoyuan base in the future, it added.

The process of taking delivery of the helicopters has not been without snags. Taiwan was notified by the US in mid-December of a main transmission failure on an Apache AH-64E in service in the US, forcing Taiwan to ground the first six helicopters it received in November.The second group had also been grounded since its arrival in Taiwan in early January.All 12 helicopters, however, have since been fitted with new main transmission boxes and were put back into service recently after completing test flights and safety verifications, according to an Army official.

The final two batches of six choppers will each be delivered with new transmissions later this year, and are expected to arrive in May and July, respectively, the official said.The model E is the latest in the Apache attack helicopter series. The U.S. and Taiwan are the only two countries that use the latest Apache helicopter model so far.

Taiwan's first Hsun Hai-class corvette (# 618 ) dubbed ' the aircraft carrier killer' delivered to Taiwan Navy

The aircraft carrier would offcourse be - Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning

Taiwan's first stealthy missile corvette was christened today 14-03-2014, a development that is expected to give the country's navy a capability to counter larger enemy warships.The 500-ton Tuo River is the first of possibly 12 ships to be built locally under the Hsun Hai (Swift Sea) class program.

The Lung Teh Shipbuilding Company has delivered the corvette in early 2014, in spite of earlier doubts if it had the capability to do so. Further Navy tests will confirm.

http://www.lts.com.tw/

The twin-hull corvette , 60.4 meters in length and 14 meters wide, has a maximum speed of 38 knots (70 kilometers per hour) and a range of 2,000 nautical miles. Its speed and low radar signature allows the corvette to get close to enemy targets..

Its armaments include Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles and a crew of 41.

The christening ceremony was held indoors in Suao, Yilan County and the ship will undergo final tests and reviews before it is officially launched. It is expected to be deployed in the first half of 2015.

Taiwan tests new anti-ship and anti-aircraft carrier missile

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TAIPEI: Taiwan tested its longest range ship-to-ship missile within a month of China putting its first aircraft carrier into service, a report said Monday.

Dubbed an “aircraft carrier killer”, the missile has a range of 400 kilometres (250 miles) and is capable of achieving Mach 3.0, or triple the speed of sound, the Taipei-based United Daily News said.

“The Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology finished a series of tests off Taiwan last month,” it said, in reference to Taiwan’s arms development unit. “No ship is capable of withstanding its high-velocity impact,” the paper quoted an unnamed military source as saying. Taiwan’s defence ministry declined to comment on the report.

The missile was described as a long-range variant of the Hsiung Feng III, already installed on Taiwanese frigates and missile boats and designed to achieve Mach 2.0 with a range of up to 130 kilometres (80 miles). China put its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, into service in late September.