Taiwan Tests New Weapons To Counter Possible China Threat

Taiwan on Monday tested for the first time a fleet of advanced submarine hunting aircraft and attack helicopters which would be utilized in the event of an attack by rival China, officials and media said. The weapons were showcased during the five day Han Kuang No 28 computerized wargame - the biggest of the military's series of annual drills. The Defence ministry confirmed the drill started Monday but refused to provide further details. The authorities will use the event to evaluate Taiwan's defence capacities could be boosted after the military obtains the two weapons, Taipei-based Liberty Times said in a report. Taiwan is expecting to receive six Apache AH-64D Longbow helicopters and six P-3C submarine hunting aircraft from the United States next year. In 2007, Washington agreed to sell 12 refurbished P-3C Orion patrol aircraft, along with three non-operational machines for spares, in a $1.96 billion arms deal. The P-3C fleet is intended to replace the island's ageing S-2T anti-submarine aircraft. Despite protests from Beijing, the Pentagon in 2008 notified Congress of a $6.5 billion arms sale to Taiwan that included advanced interceptor missiles, 30 Apache attack helicopters and submarine-launched missiles.