The amphibious reconnaissance patrol (ARP) unit of the marine corps is to take delivery of a batch of new equipment by the end of this month, as part of its efforts to enhance special operations capabilities, defense sources said yesterday.
The new equipment is to include 38 rubber combat raiding craft, which are of the same type used by the US Navy Seals.
These powered craft are to replace rubber boats of a similar kind that the ARP unit has used for many years. They are considered to be the best rubber boats in the armed forces for combat purposes
The ARP unit, one of the few special operations forces in the country, has been waiting for the replacement of combat rubber boats for quite a long time, an official with the unit said.
"People might not be able to understand how we feel about the coming arrival of the new equipment. To tell the truth, we have not received any new equipment for a long time," the official said.
"Combat rubber boats might not be important as compared with much-larger equipment, such as warships. But they are one of our main tools for special operations," he said.
"Because of budgetary constraints, we have had to use the older type of rubber boat for as long as possible. Now we are happy to see new boats come in."
At the same time, the ARP official revealed that his unit plans to buy several other types of new equipment, such as powered parachutes and Mk V patrol boats.
The powered parachute is a type of parachute with a propeller attached for fast and precise movements in the air.
The army's special operations unit was the first unit in Taiwan to own powered parachutes and has already brought in a number of them. That unit was also the first unit in the armed forces to start training with the parachutes. Other special operations units, such as the marines' ARP, have to look to it for assistance in the establishment of training facilities and personnel for power-parachute-aided operations.
The ARP is scheduled to purchase a number of powered parachutes in the next few years. With the equipment, the ARP will have another option for the execution of incursions into China.
The Chinese military has already a considerable number of troops equipped with powered parachutes, whose missions include surprise attacks on Taiwan.
The Mk V patrol boat, which is designed for special operation forces and is currently in use by the US Navy Seals.
It is not known how many Mk Vs the ARP plans to buy. The number might not be big, since the ARP is not a unit that the military gives top priority, especially when it comes to investing in new equipment.
The money that the ARP can spend on equipment procurement each year is only around NT$2 million. That amount is not even enough to buy certain spare parts for war ships, sources said.
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