Kawamura: P-3Cs and acquiring better C4ISR [command, communications, coordination, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] are priorities for Taiwan's military.
Currently, what is most important for the country is knowing how to bring about interoperability between Taiwan, Japan and the US' military. A Taiwanese P-3C force with the better 4CISR systems the aircraft has would be used in conjunction with those of the US and Japan, and the connection would largely strengthen US-Japan-Taiwan military cooperation.
Significantly, if the three countries share more 4CISR information, the US and even Japan would have a better chance of coming to aid Taiwan because it would reduce their risk of entering a war against China.
Currently, the US and Japan lack information about the seabed around Taiwan. We need Taiwan to provide information about what is happening under the waters around Taiwan. Without this information, it is more difficult for the US and Japan to operate in the area.
TT: Don't US and Japanese P3Cs patrol the waters around Taiwan?
Kawamura: Yes, they did, but it requires too much effort for the US and Japan. If Taiwan establishes a P-3C force, the three countries could rotationally patrol the waters around Taiwan, and it would be terrific if the three countries could conduct comprehensive anti-submarine surveillance around the waters of East Asia.
I would not support Taiwan's purchase of submarines because submarines are too expensive. Also, they are less helpful in promoting the country's military interoperability with the US and Japan.
TT: Would Japan's military aid Taiwan in concert with the US in the case of an attack by China?
Kawamura: I believe that in an emergency, the Japanese government would help the US. I believe that if there were increasing casualties of US personnel as a result of action between the US and China around the waters of Taiwan, Japan's leaders and the public could not ignore that.
So, the Japanese government would change its current policy, and would help the American forces.
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