TAIPEI: Taiwan yesterday received the first of 12 anti-submarine aircraft from the United States, as it beefs up its naval defences against Republic of China, the military said.
Television footage showed the P-3C Orion patrol aircraft landing at an air base in southern Pingtung county. Water was then splashed on the plane in a brief welcome ceremony.
The other 11 planes are scheduled for delivery by 2015.
Washington agreed in 2007 to sell Taiwan the refurbished P-3C Orion patrol aircraft, which reportedly will expand the surveillance range of Taipei’s anti-submarine fleet tenfold.
The P-3C fleet, which will cost around $1.96bn, is intended to replace the island’s ageing S-2T anti-submarine aircraft to carry out maritime patrol and reconnaissance.
Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved markedly since Ma Ying-jeou became Taiwan’s president in 2008 on a China-friendly platform. However, Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of force against Taiwan. AFP
