Armée Taiwanaise / Republic of China Armed Forces(ROCAF)

Citation :

19 MAY 2021

Taiwan's first 42 upgraded F-16Vs in service at Chiayi Air Base

by J Michael Cole

The first 42 Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) F-16 multirole fighter aircraft recently upgraded to the latest F-16V standard have
entered service with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Chiayi Air Base in central Taiwan.

A Ministry of National Defence (MND) spokesperson told Janes on 19 May that the aircraft entered service at the end of March, shortly
after Chief of Staff of Air Force Command Lieutenant General Huang Chih-wei announced that Taiwan had completed the first tranch
of upgrades for the RoCAF’s fleet of 141 F-16A/B/C/D Fighting Falcon fighters under the Peace Phoenix Rising programme.



The F-16V shares the same outer mould-line of the standard Fighting Falcon, but features several advanced systems, including an
active electronically scanned array radar. (Lockheed Martin)


The 4th TFW (also known as 455th) is comprised of three Tactical Fighter Groups: 21, 22, and 23. However, the MND would not confirm whether any of the three groups are composed solely of F-16Vs.

The USD3.7 billion upgrade programme, which was launched in 2016, is being carried out by Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, and is slated for completion by the end of 2023.

Facing China on Taiwan’s western coast, Chiayi Air Base has been at the heart of RoCAF activities over the past year amid a sharp increase in incursions by Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft into Taiwan’s southwestern air-defence identification zone (ADIZ).

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/taiwans-first-42-upgraded-f-16vs-in-service-at-chiayi-air-base  

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/taipei-economic-and-cultural-representative-office-united-states-20

Citation :

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) – 155mm M109A6 Paladin Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer System

5 - 6 minutes

WASHINGTON, August 4, 2021 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of 155mm M109A6 Paladin Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer System and related equipment for an estimated cost of $750 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

TECRO has requested to buy forty (40) 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems; twenty (20) M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles (FAASV); one (1) Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS); five (5) M88A2 Hercules vehicles; five (5) M2 Chrysler Mount .50 caliber machine guns; and one thousand six hundred ninety-eight (1,698) multi-option, Precision Guidance Kits (PGK). Also included are M109A6/M992A2 overhaul, conversion and refurbishment services; Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE); Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver; AN/VVS(2) Night Driver’s Viewer (NDV); Dynamic Reference Unit Hybrid Replacement Inertial Navigation System; Basic Issue Items (BII); Program Management Support; Verification Testing; System Technical Support; Transportation; Spare and repair parts; communication support equipment; communication equipment integration; tools and test equipment; personnel training and training equipment; repair and return program; camouflage nets; Components of End Items (COEI), Additional Authorized List (AAL), Technical Manuals; Quality Assurance Team (QAT); 155mm M232A1 Propelling Charges, M82 Percussion Primer Fuzes, support and test equipment, integration and test support, software delivery, publications and technical documentation. U.S. Government and contractor engineering; technical and logistics support services; storage; and other related elements of logistics and program support; OCONUS Deprocessing Service; Export Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS); OCONUS Contractor provided Training, Field Service Representatives (FSR); M2A1 .50 Cal MG; MK93 MOD 2 Mount Machine Gun; M239 Smoke Grenade Launchers, U.S. Government and contractor representatives’ technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The total estimated program cost is $750 million.

This proposed sale is consistent with U.S. law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8.

This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region.

This proposed sale of M109A6 SPH will contribute to the modernization of the recipient’s self-propelled howitzer fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats. These systems will contribute to the recipient’s goal of updating its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor for the Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems will be BAE Systems, Anniston, AL, and Elgin, OK; M992A2 FAASV, Anniston Army Depot (ANAD), Bynum, AL; and M88A2 recovery vehicles, BAE, York, PA. The purchaser has requested offsets. At this time, agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the permanent assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to recipient. Support teams will travel to recipient on a temporary basis.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

Pas donné la bête ….

Pekin sera ravis...

Citation :

Taiwan will buy 12 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters from US

According to information published by Taiwan News on November 17, 2021, the Republic of China Navy announced that it will buy 12 MH-60R Sikorsky Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters from U.S. suppliers.

Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

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The MH-60R is a naval version of the American-made UH-60 Black Hawk designed and manufactured by the Sikorsky company which is now part of Lockheed Martin.

The MH-60R can be armed can be equipped with a range of weapons on the four weapons stations, including Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire anti-surface missiles. For anti-submarine warfare, the MH-60R can carry up to three ATK mk50 or mk46 active/passive lightweight torpedoes. The side of the helicopter can be fitted with a pintle-mounted weapon station armed with a 7.62mm machine gun.

The MH-60R is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines rated at 1,425kW. It can fly at a maximum speed of 267 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 834 km.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/november/11017-taiwan-will-buy-12-sikorsky-mh-60r-seahawk-anti-submarine-helicopters-from-us.html

Citation :

SAIC will supply MK-48 Mod 7 torpedoes to Taiwan

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on November 25, 2021, Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), Reston, Virginia, is awarded a $123,682,642 fixed-price incentive (firm target), firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the production of MK 48 Mod 7 heavyweight afterbody/tailcones and warshot fuel tank torpedo equipment and support.


MK-48 Mod 7 torpedo (Picture source: Science Applications International Corporation)

This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $1,113,036,995.

This contract combines purchases for the Navy and the governments of Australia and Taiwan under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

Work will be performed in Bedford, Indiana (80%); and Middletown, Rhode Island (20%), and is expected to be complete by July 2025. If all options are exercised, work will continue through January 2033.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-22-C-6419).

The MK 48 heavyweight torpedo is used by all classes of submarines as their anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) weapon.

The MK 48 torpedo is a heavyweight acoustic-homing torpedo with sophisticated sonar, all-digital guidance-and-control systems, digital fusing systems, and propulsion improvements. Its digital guidance system allows for repeated upgrades to counter evolving threats through software upgrades.

The latest version of the MK 48 is the MOD 7, which is optimized for both traditional and emerging missions. The MK 48 MOD 7 torpedo is the result of a Joint Development Program with the Royal Australian Navy and reached IOC in 2006. The MK 48 MOD 7 hardware upgrade has enabled further software improvements to the MK 48 that provide increased capability in the most challenging scenarios.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/november/11052-saic-will-supply-mk-48-mod-7-torpedoes-to-taiwan.html

Citation :

Taiwanese Teng Yun drone begins flight tests

According to information published by Taipei Times on December 25, 2021, the Teng Yun Male Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is undergoing initial flight tests before it enters combat testing in June.

Teng Yun Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 

Teng Yun (which means "cloud rider" in Chinese) was first developed in 2015 by the National Chung-Shan
Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the primary research and development institution of Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND). The first version of the UAV was unveiled at TADTE 2015.

The new Teng Yun has an enhanced thrust, greater range, and multiple payloads. It also has an enhanced flight control system and a triple-backup power system.

The UAV is capable of automatic take-off and landing, multi-vehicle control, ground network control and real-time video transmission, allowing it to conduct coastal patrol, environmental research, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

Teng Yun possesses an operating range in excess of 1,000 km, flight endurance of 24 hours, and a ceiling of 25,000 ft (7,620 m).

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2022-news-aviation-aerospace/january/8018-taiwanese-teng-yun-drone-begins-flight-tests.html

Le parlement taïwanais a adopté un projet de loi de dépenses supplémentaires de 8,6 milliard $,dans le cadre de la dernière tentative visant à renforcer les capacités de défense contre les menaces militaires croissantes de la Chine, qui s'ajoute au budget annuel record de la défense d'environ 17 milliards de dollars fixé pour 2022.

"Les ressources supplémentaires visent à acquérir des missiles de précision et à fabriquer en série des navires de guerre à haut rendement "dans les plus brefs délais" pour renforcer les capacités maritimes et aériennes de l'île", a déclaré le gouvernement.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2022/1/11/taiwan-passes-extra-defence-budget-as-china-threat-grows

Le ministère de la Défense nationale (MDN) a annoncé son intention d'acheter un lot supplémentaire de missiles Patriot III MSE aux États-Unis en 2025 et 2026 pour renforcer ses capacités de défense aérienne.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4408519

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-taiwan-military-exclusive-idUSKBN2JU1YI

Citation :

Exclusive-U.S. seeks way to speed delivery of new fighter jets to Taiwan

Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Yimou Lee

6 - 7 minutes

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is looking for ways to potentially accelerate delivery of Taiwan’s next generation of new-build F-16 fighter jets, U.S. officials said, bolstering the Taiwanese air force’s ability to respond to what Washington and Taipei see as increasing intimidation by China’s military.

FILE PHOTO: A pilot of a F-16 fighter jet attends a military drill at Zhi-Hang Air Base in Taitung, Taiwan January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they have not yet come up with a solution on how to speed delivery of Block 70 F-16s, manufactured by Lockheed Martin and equipped with new capabilities. The aircraft are currently slated to be delivered by the end of 2026.

Taiwan's government has privately expressed its wish for a faster delivery to U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, a senior Taiwanese official said, as the self-ruled island's air force scrambles jets to intercept increasingly aggressive Chinese military flights here.

More missions mean more wear-and-tear on Taiwan’s aircraft.

"It's all about risk assessment ... and it's clear where the risks are," the Taiwanese official said, referring to tensions across the sensitive Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China. The F-16 is considered a highly maneuverable here aircraft proven in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

Taiwan is on track to field one of the largest F-16 fleets in Asia once it takes delivery of 66 new-build F-16 C/D Block 70 aircraft under an $8 billion deal approved in 2019. It would bring the island’s total number of F-16s, including older versions, to more than 200 by 2026.

Any move to accelerate deliveries of new aircraft could ultimately come down to a determination by Biden’s administration that Taiwan’s defense needs are more urgent than those of other U.S. allies and partners, according to experts.

“That’s a Biden administration decision,” said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, the president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, an organization that encourages trade and business ties between the two. “They would have to decide that the threat from China was more important than the threat from Iran or the threat from the Russians.”

The Block 70 aircraft are the newest F-16 configuration, with new avionics, a modernized cockpit and an improved engine, according to Lockheed Martin.

A move to accelerate the aircraft delivery would be seen in Beijing in part through a political lens, according to Abraham Denmark, a former senior Pentagon official.

“It is yet another clear signal of U.S. determination to support Taiwan’s ability to defend itself,” added Denmark, now an analyst at the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank.

DWARFED BY CHINA

Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the United States is the island’s main international backer and arms supplier. That defense relationship angers China, which has ramped up military and diplomatic pressure against the island that it claims as “sacred” Chinese territory.

In the face of Chinese pressure, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has prioritized modernizing the armed forces, which are well-armed but dwarfed by China’s military.

Lockheed Martin declined to comment on any potential future requests to change the production schedule, referring queries to the U.S. government and Taiwan’s defense ministry.

The U.S. State Department, which oversees foreign military sales, declined to comment on any internal discussions about potential changes to the delivery timeline.

Lockheed Martin’s new F-16 production line in Greenville, South Carolina has several customers in the production queue ahead of Taiwan, including Bahrain, Slovakia and Bulgaria.

The U.S. government has not asked Lockheed Martin for delivery timeline changes for the Taiwanese F-16 jets, a person familiar with the situation said.

The source declined to speculate about how much sooner Taiwan could get new-build F-16s even if a decision were made to accelerate deliveries. Any such effort would be complicated by production constraints, which include long lead times to source materials for Taiwan’s specific configuration of fighter aircraft.

Taiwan’s Air Force did not respond to questions on potential accelerated deliveries but told Reuters in a statement that the Taiwanese military’s major weapon purchases are “rigorously planned in accordance with actual combat needs and planning schedules.”

The U.S. sale of F-16s to Taiwan was guided by U.S. law and “based on an assessment of Taiwan’s defense needs and the threat posed by (China), as has been the case for more than 40 years,” a Pentagon spokesperson said in a statement.

‘WEARING OUT THEIR OPPONENT’

The missions to intercept Chinese aircraft are putting stress on Taiwan’s air force, which last year had several mishaps, including three fatal crashes. Over time, fuel costs, pilot fatigue and wear and tear on Taiwanese aircraft will threaten the readiness of the island’s air force if this pressure continues, Taiwanese and U.S. military analysts said.

Last March, a senior Taiwanese official said Taiwan’s military had stopped intercepting every Chinese aircraft.

Taiwan’s air force last week suspended combat training for its entire F-16 fleet after a recently upgraded model of the fighter jet crashed into the sea in the latest of a series of accidents.

“They (the Chinese) are wearing out their opponent without firing a shot,” said Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation.

Taiwan’s air force in 2020 scrambled 2,972 times against Chinese aircraft at a cost of T$25.5 billion ($905 million).

Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington and Yimou Lee in Taipei; Additional reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham and Mary Milliken

J'espère que ceci n'aura pas d'impact sur la livraison de nos F16..

Il semblerait que peut être que oui ....

Deja la livraison va être retarder par 1 à 2 ans