US May Sell P-3C to Taiwan
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U.S. May Sell Weapons to Taiwan
By REUTERS
Published: September 13, 2007
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (Reuters) — The Pentagon announced tentative plans on Wednesday to sell surplus P-3C Orion submarine-hunting aircraft and air-defense missiles to Taiwan in deals potentially worth more than $2.23 billion, including related gear and services.
Taiwan is seeking to buy 12 surplus P-3C maritime patrol aircraft with T-56 turboprop engines, data terminals and a mobile operation command center in a deal that could be worth $1.96 billion, the PentagonÂ’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notice to Congress.
In a separate notice, the agency said it was also tentatively planning to sell Taiwan 144 SM-2 Block 3A Standard missiles to defend against cruise missiles and aircraft threats in a package that could total $272 million.
The P-3C is a land-based maritime patrol and submarine warfare aircraft.
It is to be replaced in the United States arsenal by the P-6 Multimission maritime aircraft, scheduled to enter service in 2013.
As part of the proposed P-3C deal, Taiwan also would get help integrating its intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance network, the Pentagon said.
The Pentagon said the proposed sale would be to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, TaiwanÂ’s unofficial embassy.
TaiwanÂ’s current patrol aircraft are reaching the end of their usefulness, the Pentagon said. The sale would improve TaiwanÂ’s security and help maintain political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region, the notice to Congress said.
Principal contractors for the P-3C Orion deal include Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins and Raytheon.
The SM-2 missiles, which would supplement those already in TaiwanÂ’s inventory, are for TaiwanÂ’s destroyers. Raytheon would be the prime contractor, according to the Pentagon.
The notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean a deal has been concluded. Congress can block such sales but rarely does.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/world/asia/13taiwan.html?ref=world
Dun understand why Taiwan keeps buying old and 'over price' equipments from US. -
Seems like Taiwan is just a dumping/recycling ground.
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KIDD class destroyers.Originally posted by LyonK:Seems like Taiwan is just a dumping/recycling ground.
F-16A/B -
actual their F-16A/B is a Block 50/52 standard.....they tone the blk down so that China will not bealarm of their technology procurement......Originally posted by Manager433:KIDD class destroyers.
F-16A/B -
They list theirs as Block 15 rite?Originally posted by duotiga83:actual their F-16A/B is a Block 50/52 standard.....they tone the blk down so that China will not bealarm of their technology procurement...... -
blk 20Originally posted by Manager433:They list theirs as Block 15 rite? -
Originally posted by Manager433:
Thats because no other countries dare to sell weapons to them with PRC breathing down their necks later and the number of countries which recognise Taiwan aka ROC is diminishing fast.
Dun understand why Taiwan keeps buying old and 'over price' equipments from US. [/b]
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not sure who would want it tone down.Originally posted by duotiga83:actual their F-16A/B is a Block 50/52 standard.....they tone the blk down so that China will not bealarm of their technology procurement......
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DATE:17/09/07
SOURCE:Flight International
US take final step towards Taiwan Lockheed P-3C sale
Taiwan's long-planned purchase of 12 refurbished Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft has been notified to US Congress. Deliveries would begin in 2011 under the proposed $1.96 billion deal.
The ex-US Navy P-3s were first offered to Taiwan in 2001, to replace its Grumman S-2T Trackers, but political infighting in Taipei blocked approval of the special budget until the legislative logjam was finally broken in June.
Taiwan has already identified 12 airframes in desert storage, plus three TP-3As for airframe spares, and Lockheed expects to refurbish the Orions at its Greenville, South Carolina site, fitting new wings to restore the full 15,000h fatigue life.
The proposed deal includes Rolls-Royce T56 engines, avionics and sensor upgrades, tactical common datalink and Link 16 terminals, a mobile operations command centre, network integration and training devices.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/17/216797/us-take-final-step-towards-taiwan-lockheed-p-3c-sale.html