The military confirmed yesterday that it is looking to purchase several MH-60R Seahawk marine patrol helicopters from the US to replace the nation’s aging fleet of MD500 helicopters.
“We plan to purchase 10 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters,” Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Hsiao Wei-ming (蕭維民) said in response to questions by a lawmaker during a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is equipped to conduct a wide range of missions, ranging from marine, patrols, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare to search and rescue missions, naval gunfire support and surveillance.
The aircraft would be the most advanced marine patrol helicopters in the Republic of China Navy’s fleet, Hsiao said.
The Seahawks are to conduct marine patrol missions along with the existing S-70C helicopters.
Deputy Defense Minister Admiral Chen Yung-kang (陳永康) told the legislative committee that “the Navy’s MD500 helicopters are very old.”
As the nation prepares for the arrival of two Perry-class guided missile frigates purchased from the US, it is necessary to acquire new aircraft to boost the nation’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, Chen said.
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