05/29/07
DEFENSE NEWS
By WENDELL MINNICK, TAIWAN
The exercise simulated a blockade of the Kaohsiung Port by two Chinese Kilo-class diesel submarines. Taiwan’s new Kidd-class destroyer Tsoying (DDG 1803) led a coordinated attack that included Grumman S-2T Tracker anti-submarine aircraft, Knox- and Perry-class frigates, with Air Force fighter aircraft providing cover.
Rear Adm. Tu Cheng-mo, deputy chief of the 124th fleet, commanded the Tsoying during the mission, said a Defense Ministry source. The exercise demonstrated that Taiwan’s military can break a submarine blockade by China, said the source.
Taiwan has a variety of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platforms and capabilities. The Navy’s 168th Squadron of eight Knox-class frigates serves as the service’s primary ASW vessels. These vessels are home-based at Suao as part of the East Coast Command.
Taiwan also has two squadrons of Sikorsky S-70 anti-submarine helicopters that make up the 701st “Thunder Hawk” and the 702nd “Magic Hawk” squadrons at Hualien. The Navy also has one squadron of MD-500 anti-sub helicopters assigned to the 501st Squadron at Kaohsiung.
Taiwan’s aging S-2T Trackers officially make up two squadrons based in Pingtung. However, sources have stated that the military can only maintain a few aircraft for air missions. One U.S. source stated that only four aircraft were operational at any given time.
Taiwan’s military has been pushing hard to acquire new Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft first offered by the U.S. government in 2001. However, political bickering in the legislature between pro-unification and pro-independence members has stalled the budget for several years. Sources say that with elections in 2008 a new legislature will end the stalemate.
