The Army plans to buy AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters from the US to strengthen its armored brigades, according to a defense source who asked to remain anonymous.
If implemented, the plan represents a generational leap by the army in its efforts to restructure its forces into modern fighting units, the source said.
The move is also expected to trigger a restructuring of the army's airborne units as well. Two airborne brigades will likely be merged into existing ground divisions to form additional units with air-sea-land (3D) combat capabilities, the source said.
The army plans to buy around 60 AH-64Ds to arm two of its armored brigades, one in northern Taiwan and the other in southern Taiwan, he said.
A US military delegation visited Taiwan in September to evaluate the army's need for the Longbows. The delegation was comprised mainly of officers with the US Army.
During its stay in Taiwan, the US military delegation viewed exercises by an armored brigade in Hsinchu, which is scheduled to be equipped with the Longbows.
Erich Shih (
"The US combined arms brigades are the forces that Taiwan's army wants to have. Taiwan's army also has combined arms brigades, but these brigades are far from being such in a real sense," Shih said.
Shih said he does not support the army's plan to equip armored brigades with Longbows because it will cost too much money.
"The army already has AH-1W attack helicopters and OH-58D reconnaissance helicopters. It might want to consider using these helicopters in realizing its dream of building an air arm," Shih said.
"The AH-1W can be upgraded to the AH-1Z now being developed for the US Marines. The AH-1Z can be as good as the AH-64D, although it has a much shorter range," he said.
"If the army insists on buying the AH-64Ds, it may have to consider whether it has the ability to maintain the highly sophisticated helicopters. Some of its high-tech weaponry has been damaged because of problems with its operating personnel," he said.
"The US combined arms brigades need 3D combat capabilities because they are designed to fight in a large battlefield. Taiwan does not have too much space for the operation of a US-style combined arms brigade."
The army now has six armored brigades, which fall into the category of combined arms brigades which, if all upgraded, would require the purchase of around 180 helicopters.
The sheer number of helicopters and the level of complexity they represent could pose serious problems for the Army, which as noted has had difficulty maintaining advanced weapons systems.
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