The marine corps plans to buy 199 more AAVP7-A1 amphibious assault vehicles from the US to replace the aging LVTP5-A1s that have been in service for over four decades, defense sources said yesterday.
The additional vehicles, plus 54 that have already been ordered, are to be used to equip a brigade. It is expected to greatly enhance the amphibious operation capabilities of the marine corps.
The LVTP5-A1s had been in service with the US military for around two decades before they were transferred to the Taiwan marine corps.
The marine corps took delivery of the vehicles in mid-1970s. It received around 350 from the US.
About 150 of the older models are still in service, and 50 of them are now being remodeled.
The marine corps initially did not plan to retire all the older models since at least 50 of them could still be used for another five to 19 years.
This is why the marine corps only ordered 54 AAVP7-A1s from the US, a deal that the George W. Bush administration approved two years ago.
The marine corps changed its mind recently as it negotiated with the US military over the price of the deal.
It found during the negotiations that the US military is willing to sell more AAVP7-A1s from its stockpile and that the production line for these vehicles is to be closed this month.
A defense source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the findings prompted the marine corps to make a quick decision on placing orders for another 199 AAVP7-A1s.
"If the marine corps can not make the decision now, it will lose the chance of acquiring so many new amphibious landing vehicles," the source said.
"The question is whether the marine corps can get enough of the budget to buy another 199 of the vehicles," he said.
Budgetary constraint is a problem that troubles every branch of the military. The navy will receive the largest portion of the defense budget over the next 10 years. The navy intends to purchase eight diesel-powered submarines, 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft, four Kidd-class destroyers, and four AEGIS-class destroyers.
Though the marine corps is part of the navy, the corps is customarily the last to be considered when it comes to the division of monetary resources in the service.
To cope with the cash shortage, the marine corps plans to buy the 253 vehicles over the next 10 years.
The first 54 will be delivered in four years, while the rest will be delivered when they are purchased.
The marine corps might face some unexpected problems in the process.
The vehicles might have develop some mechanical problems before they are delivered to Taiwan since they are all finished products that have to be stored in warehouses.
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