In what would be an important decision for the Taiwanese Air Force’s transport aviation, the institution is reportedly evaluating canceling the modernization of its C-130H aircraft to instead move forward with the purchase of new C-130J Super Hercules from the U.S., its main ally and arms supplier. According to local sources, the force would consider that the current modernization program for the mentioned platforms, focused on updating avionics, sensors, and engines, would be too costly in relation to the possible purchase of ten completely new aircraft of a more modern variant.
It is worth recalling at this point that the Taiwanese Air Force had announced toward the end of last year the modernization program known as “Taiwu Mountain III,” which sought to give a new boost to the C-130H fleet operated by the institution since the 1980s. For this purpose, Taipei planned to make investments of more than 10 billion Taiwanese dollars, according to the Electronic Public Procurement System, with dates stipulating the awarding of the contract for January of this year and its corresponding execution until next December.
In terms of how many aircraft of this type were in service for the Taiwanese Air Force, it should be mentioned that at the start of the program there were around 20 C-130H aircraft, including one unit of the C-130HE version specialized in electronic warfare. The first batch of aircraft incorporated into service, which occurred in 1986, included a dozen examples of the platform, with one of these planes (serial number 1310) being the one lost in an accident at Taipei’s Songshan Airport in 1997.
Expanding the lens on the modernization of the Taiwanese Air Force
It is relevant to highlight that the Taiwanese Air Force is engaged in a broad renewal process that goes beyond the C-130 family itself, whether modernization is chosen or new J-variant aircraft are acquired. In this sense, one of the most important programs lies in the acquisition of 66 new F-16 Block 70 fighters purchased from the U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin, intended to replace the older Mirage 2000 fighters, which required an investment of around 8 billion dollars to carry out.
Currently, however, the program is affected by obstacles that could impact the planned date to complete the fleet, which was set for the end of next year. In this regard, the Chief of Staff of the Taiwanese Air Force, Lieutenant General Li Ching-jang, acknowledged before legislators that there is a high risk of completing the program within the established deadlines. Furthermore, in response to inquiries and suggestions from the Taiwanese legislature, the official even indicated that it is being evaluated to amend the Special Budget Law in order to extend the established execution deadlines.
In parallel with this acquisition, the institution is also working on updating its F-16A/B Block 20 fighter fleet to the Block 70 standard, as part of the Peace Phoenix Rising program. Specifically, the Ministry of Defense reported a total of 139 aircraft effectively modernized out of the 144 the Taiwanese Air Force had, some of which were involved in operational accidents that removed them from service.
The potential arrival of Dassault Rafale fighters
As part of the modernization process mentioned above, it is also useful to note that given the difficulties in acquiring F-16 Block 70 fighters and the need to replace its Mirage 2000 fleet, Taiwan is reportedly exploring the possibility of adding new French-made Rafale fighters. Toward the end of last September, this was reflected in statements from Dassault authorities, who indicated the recently emerged interest of an Air Force in the platform.
Specifically, Dassault CEO Eric Trappier responded to questions from the Economic Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly when this news was made public. He detailed the difficulties his company currently faces, and will face in the future, in supporting the Taiwanese Mirage fighter fleet, as it is a platform that is no longer in production and whose natural successor is the Rafale. So far, these statements do not necessarily reflect an official commitment to a potential purchase, but they indicate a new export opportunity for Dassault.
Quoting some of his own statements: “First of all, the Mirage 2000 is at the end of its service life. It still flies a little in France, but it will stop. This is also true for all our export clients who are moving from the Mirage 2000 to the Rafale. So it is true that the industrial dynamics of spare parts and repairs is a bit […] more difficult than before […] but we are supporting Taiwan perfectly […] very well. And you know very well what the Taiwanese want. They want the Rafale. That does not depend on me. It is not my responsibility. It is the government’s.”
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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