U.S. reported to approve torpedo sale to Taiwan
ROC Central News Agency
2016/09/09 23:12:11
Washington, Sept. 9 (CNA) The United States will give the green light to a proposal to sell Mk-48 heavyweight torpedoes to Taiwan after many years of delay, the U.S.-based Defense News reported Thursday, citing an official at Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
The Advanced Capability torpedoes will be outfitted on Taiwan's two remaining combat attack submarines after they undergo an upgrade to extend their lifespan, the report from Taipei said.
It pointed out that Taiwan purchased the two Dutch-built Sea Dragon-class (Zwaardvis Mk 2) submarines in the late 1980s.
"The recent US$200 million procurement of 32 UGM-84L Sub-launched Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles will also give the Dutch-built submarines a bigger punch," Defense News said.
As Taiwan is also promoting a program to build indigenous defense submarines -- including eight attack submarines -- this will eventually boost the number of submarines Taiwan has to 10.
The report cited the MND source as saying that with a total of 10 attack submarines armed with Mk-48 torpedoes and the UGM-84L Harpoons, China will hesitate to invade Taiwan.
(By Tony Liao and Elizabeth Hsu)
ENDITEM/cs
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