After a UH-1H Huey utility helicopter crashed on a rescue mission during Typhoon Morakot relief efforts in August 2009, the Executive Yuan earmarked NT$928 million (US$31.8 million) to modernize eight of the helicopters, but the proposal was suspended after the government failed to reach a contract with the manufacturer, US Bell Helicopter, a government official has said.
A National Airborne Service Corps (NASC) official said it had offered nine prices in nine tenders to Bell Helicopter, but the company still refused to take the contract, saying the price offered was lower than manufacturing costs.
NASC vice director Liang Kuo-hui (梁國輝) said the corps had reported the situation to the Executive Yuan late last year and announced the suspension of the project.
Photo: CNA
He said the NASC was concerned that the nation’s aging fleet of UH-1Hs would prove inadequate in future rescue missions.
The US has agreed to sell Taiwan 60 UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopters and the military has agreed to provide NASC with 15 UH-60s, Liang said, adding that as the first helicopter was scheduled for delivery in late 2013, the NASC was concerned it might face a shortage in relief capabilities during that period.
Liang said the NASC and the air force often cooperated during rescue efforts. Air Force S-70C rescue helicopters provide support for rescue operations when necessary.
To find a reasonable price, the NASC had asked the army and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inquire on the international market about the price tag for improving the helicopters’ performance, Liang said, adding that this was the information it used when negotiating with Bell.
Incidents involving the 36-year-old helicopters occurred in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
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