Anyone want to take guesses as to which helo Taiwan will go for?

Date Posted: 19-Mar-2004

JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – MARCH 24, 2004

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Taiwan nears decision on helicopter
Wendell Minnick JDW Correspondent
Taipei

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is expected to decide by mid-year between the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow and the Bell AH-1Z Cobra to meet an army requirement for 30-45 attack helicopters.

The army’s decision will have to be approved by the Legislative Yuan’s National Defence Committee.

According to Taiwanese defence sources, many within the army favour the Apache but there is political opposition to the choice.

The Republic of China Army Air Arm operates 62 Bell AH-1W SuperCobras delivered since 1993, organised into two squadrons. The new helicopters will equip a third squadron.

Taiwan has adopted a new offshore defence policy, which requires the army to confront invading forces as far out to sea as possible. According to a document obtained by JDW, this expanded mission for the army “requires rapid response (less than 40 minutes), high availability, high reliability and significant operational flexibility (dedicated anti-ship and anti-air capabilities)”.

Although the AH-64D is regarded as the popular choice within the army, there is growing opposition to the helicopter as local newspapers say that Boeing tentatively plans to build Taiwan’s Apaches in South Korea. Boeing’s Taipei office refused to discuss the decision with JDW.

Bell has offered Taiwan the opportunity of building the AH-1Z if it chooses the platform (JDW 10 March).

A Bell spokesperson said: “Bell is fully prepared to construct a co-production programme for the AH-1Z. In addition, the AH-1W and AH-1Z share many parts and items of support equipment. As budgets and force structure continue to decline, the ability to share assets and training among current and future battalions will reduce the daily cost of operations.”

Critics of the Apache also argue that having two different platforms, the AH-64D and AH-1W, will require two separate training and maintenance programmes. The first public criticism came in June 2002 when a nationalist Kuomintang party legislative caucus attacked the proposed Apache buy for being too costly at a reported $1.29 billion.

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