3.1 US Approved Arms Sales
3.2.1 Air Defense
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3.2 Lee Teng Hui
3.2.1 Air Defense
Missiles
The US sold four major types of air defense systems and their accompanying missiles to the island in numerous quantities. In 1993, the US allowed the sale of MK-41 systems, which was a vertical launch system for ship based air defense missiles (Kan, 2014).
These systems were able to fire the SM-1 standard air defense missile, which Taiwan was approved for two shipments in 1990 and 1992; totaling 304 (Kan, 2014). These missiles were an integral part of Taiwan’s defense. The installment of these systems would enable Taiwanese naval ships to launch missiles, particularly the SM-1, from the sea—
expanding their target range. Raymond F. Burghardt, a former director of AIT,
proclaimed, “We [the U.S.] have also provided support for Taiwan's Perry-class frigates equipped with the anti-aircraft Standard Missile, or SM-1, for protection of sea lines of communication” (Burghardt, 1999). Having them installed on naval vessels allowed Taiwan to effectively prevent enemy aircraft from encroaching its territorial borders and sabotaging vital strategic strongholds.
The second type was the HAWK missile system. The HAWK is a system
designed to destroy aircraft. It is effective against the full spectrum of attacking aircraft at tactical speeds in benign and electronic countermeasure environments (American
Ordnance LLC, n.d.). The HAWK’s mobile and flexible system allows it to identify various targets as far out as 80 km (American Ordnance LLC, n.d.). Under the Lee
administration, the HAWK system was the backbone of Taiwan’s air defense. The system consists of a pulse acquisition radar, a continuous wave acquisition radar, a high power illuminating target tracking radar, a range-only radar, and six three missile launchers (US Department of Defense, 1999). In March 2000, the US approved 162 HAWK missiles for sale to Taiwan (Kan, 2014).
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The third type of missile system approved for Taiwan was derived from the Patriot Missile. Known as the Modified Air Defense System (MADS), its missiles are high altitude, all-weather projectiles that can counter threats from tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and advanced aircraft (Raytheon, 2015). It also provides invaluable protection for critical assets and maneuver forces (US Army, 2007). Taiwan had requested this system to combat China’s growing arsenal of ballistic missiles, and was cleared to purchase 3 MADS fire units, along with logistics support services in September 1993 (Kan, 2014).
The US also approved the sale of numerous stinger missiles, systems and
launchers. In 1996 alone, 1,764 stinger missiles were allowed for sale; along with 55 dual mounted stinger launcher systems. The combination of supersonic speed, agility and a highly accurate guidance and control system gives the Stinger an operational edge against cruise missiles and all classes of aircraft (Raytheon, 2015). Its relative small size and mobility allows it to be rapidly deployed by ground troops, ground vehicles and
helicopters (Military.com, 2015). The same year, the sale of 74 avenger vehicle mounted guided missile launchers was permitted (Kan, 2014). The avenger vehicle is a
lightweight, highly mobile, easily transportable surface-to-air missile fire unit with eight Stinger missiles in two missile pods (Military.com, 2015). It can operate in extreme weather conditions, and its multi-faceted system can locate targets in daylight and at night (Military.com, 2015). In August 1998, US Congress approved 61 dual mount stinger surface to air missiles (Kan, 2014). The stinger missiles contributed to a more mobile and flexible defense system, able to be deployed from the land and air.
Aircraft
In 1990, Taiwan was allowed 1 C-130 transport airplane, followed by 12 more in 1993.
This aided in greatly improving Taiwan’s logistics capabilities. The C-130 is designed specifically to transport troops and up to 42,000 pounds of equipment in a combat zone via airdrop or short runways (Military.com, 2015). According to the US Airforce, the flexible design of the Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing one aircraft to perform the role of many (2003). The C-130 can be rapidly
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reconfigured for the various types of cargo such as palletized equipment, floor-loaded material, airdrop platforms, container delivery system bundles, vehicles and personnel or aeromedical evacuation (US Airforce, 2003). Much of the special mission equipment added to the Hercules is removable, allowing the aircraft to return to its cargo delivery role if desired (US Airforce, 2003). The procurement of these transport planes allowed the Taiwanese military to deploy units or equipment anywhere on the main and outlying islands without any difficulty.
In September 1992, George H. Bush approved the sale of 150 F-16 A/B fighters to Taiwan, after much deliberation (Kan, 2014). Since the fall of the Soviet Russia, the PRC was rapidly acquiring Russian military technology and hardware to revamp its aged armed forces. China was engaged in a long-term modernization program for its large military forces and had spent more than $2 billion since June 1989 to modernize those forces (Pelletier, 1993, p. 8). This included buying more modern Russian jet fighters to gain air superiority in the Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese air force was in shambles; consisting of aged Cold War era fighters. The discrepancy between Chinese and Taiwanese military forces was quickly growing in favor of the mainland. According to a State Department spokesman, Joseph Snyder, the only way to maintain the quality of its air force was by obtaining new planes (Friedman, 1992). The US had long ceased to manufacture parts for Taiwan’s obsolete fighters, thus F16s were the only solution. In a speech to General Dynamics employees in Fort Worth Texas, President Bush approved the sale exclaiming, “This sale of F-16's to Taiwan will help maintain peace and stability in an area of great concern to us, the Asia-Pacific region, in conformity with our law”
(Bush, 1992). The sale was met with overwhelming support, especially in Taipei. Taiwan had been in urgent need of new aircraft for many years. After learning of the PRC’s acquisition of advanced Soviet aircraft, Albert Lin, Taiwan’s spokesman in Washington DC exclaimed that “somehow, somewhere we have to get new aircraft” (Vranken Hickey, 1994). The F-16 sale was the answer to Taipei’s prayers.
The F-16 is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable and has proven capable in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack (US Air Force, 2015). Its maneuverability and combat radius exceeds that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. An all-weather capability allows it to detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter and
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accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions (US Air Force, 2015).
In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point (US Air Force, 2015). Furthermore, its enhanced cockpit – including a tilted back ejection seat, side-mounted throttle and control stick, head-up display, and bubble canopy – improves pilot survivability, visibility and control (Lockheed Martin, 2014). The F-16 was undoubtedly a superior fighter jet that outmatched those recently procured by the PRC. They were a strategic advancement for the Taiwanese air force, as it increased Taipei’s air superiority and minimized the military gap in the Taiwan Strait.
In August 1993, 4 E-2T Hawkeye aircraft were approved for Taiwan. Still in use today, the Hawkeye provides all-weather airborne early warning, airborne battle
management and command and control functions (US Navy, 2009). Additional missions include surface surveillance coordination, air interdiction, offensive and defensive counter air control, close-air support coordination, time critical strike coordination, search and rescue airborne coordination and communications relay (US Navy, 2009). In July 1999, Taiwan was offered 2 upgraded E-2T Hawkeye 2000E aircraft. This advanced variant included significant enhancements in data management, system throughput, operator interfaces, connectivity, and situational awareness to support the Navy's evolving Theater Air and Missile Defense mission (Northrop Grumman, 2015). It also featured the AN/APS-145 radar system, improved identification friend/foe (IFF) system, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), a global positioning system (GPS) and the Carrier Aircraft Inertial Navigational System (CAINS) II navigation system; all which keep the aircraft's mission systems current with the evolving
operational environment (Northrop Grumman, 2015). The E-2 provides early warning, threat analysis against potentially hostile air and surface targets; all an integral part in Taiwan’s defense strategy (US Navy, 2009).
In October 1998, US Congress permitted 9 Chinook helicopters to be sold to Taiwan. The Chinook was designed to be a reliable, heavy duty supply transport. The communications suite includes jam resistant HF and UHF radio systems and the helicopter is equipped with an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator (Military.com, 2015). Additionally, the helicopter is equipped with a multitude of
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countermeasure systems including: machine guns, a missile approach warner, jammers, radar warner, and chaff and flare dispensers (Military.com, 2015). Because the Chinook has a triple hook system, large external loads such as 155mm howitzers can be
transported at speeds up to 260km/h using the triple hook load configuration
(Military.com, 2015). It can accommodate two Humvees or one Humvee together with 105mm howitzer and gun crew; while the main cabin can hold up to 33 fully-equipped troops (Military.com). The utility of the Chinook is unbridled and helps Taiwan maintain its military preparations; moving large artillery and troops to strategic points throughout the island’s mountainous landscape.