Taiwan invests US$15 billion in indigenous defense project - Wendell Minnick

Wendell Minnick

Taiwan is going to invest close to US$15 billion into indigenous shipbuilding projects in an effort to become more independent from changing US policies on defense, writes defense analyst Wendell Minnick in Defense News.

Wendell Minnick:

The Taiwanese Navy announced 12 new shipbuilding and force modernization programs covering a 23-year period at roughly $14.7 billion on Monday. This indigenous build effort is part of an overall plan to wean Taiwan off expensive and politically troublesome US defense acquisitions — which often consist of refurbished older platforms — and develop a robust defense industry on the island. 

The projected timeline runs from 2017 to 2040, and programs include a Taiwan Aegis destroyer and frigate, submarine, high-speed minelayer, landing platform dock (LPD), 11 additional stealthy Tuo Jiang-class missile corvette catamarans, and multi-purpose transport. Other programs include more AAV7s, a type of assault amphibious vehicle, for the Taiwanese Marine Corps, underwater swimmer delivery vehicles for special forces, and assorted weapons for special forces. 

Despite the impressive list that includes a wide variety of vessels and systems, orchestrated by the Navy’s Naval Shipbuilding Development Center, the list is considered by some Taiwan defense analysts to be a “Christmas wish list.” As of now, only three of the programs have been officially authorized and funded for construction.

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China´s defense firms become better, but stay secretive - Wendell Minnick

Wendell Minnick

Getting a Chinese defense company at an exhibition would be awkward, since they were not prepared to give any information, not even to customers writes defense analyst Wendell Minnick at Defense News. At the latest Singapore Airshow they improved, but only slightly.

Wendell Minnick:

There was a time not long ago when Chinese defense companies exhibiting at international defense shows would provide no information about their products to journalists, or for that matter, even customers. 

A model of a new fighter aircraft or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on display would come with no brochure and no placard indicating even the name. It was a curious experience to ask about a model of a new weapon system only to get shrugs from Chinese representatives who appeared just as baffled by its appearance at the airshow as the journalist. Journalists would take a picture and move on, assuming that boxes of brochures in the back room of the booth would be reshipped back to China unopened. 

It was a public relations disaster for Chinese defense companies to spend enormous amounts of money for booths/chalets and allow for no dialogue about their products. It was a mystery most likely explained by China’s history of opaque behavior and the fear of losing face. 

This week’s Singapore Airshow was a little different. The China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp. (CATIC) displayed the supersonic Hongdu-built L-15 Falcon attack/fighter/trainer (AFT) aircraft armed with new weapon systems not seen outfitted on the Falcon before. It even included a brochure, if you asked nicely, but even then badgering often came into play.

More at Defense News.

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Taiwan "one of the world's best weapon producers" - Wendell Minnick

Wendell Minnick

Taiwan is one of the world's best weapen producers, says defense expert Wendell Minnick in the Taipei Times, commenting on stories in Chinese media the islands Kuang Hua VI (KH-6) fast attack missile boats, in use since 2010, were plagued by deficiencies and were a “fantasy.”

Wendell Minnick, the Taipei-based Asia bureau chief for Defense News, said the deficiencies mentioned in the article were old ones and that he suspected the navy had ironed most of them out by now. 

“The KH-6 missile patrol boat program has experienced developmental problems. One main problem is balancing the weight of larger missiles across the frame,” Minnick told the Taipei Times yesterday. “This has caused some problems in the past, but they appear to be seaworthy at present.” 

“For the most part, Taiwan does produce, at the end of the day, impressive weapon systems and in many ways the Taiwanese are some of the best weapons producers in the world,” he said.

More in the Taipei Times.

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US Congress members fear loss of military secrets - Wendell Minnick

Wendell Minnick

Two members of US Congress have asked for a National Security Review and a Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States review into a new GE joint venture with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), writes defense analyst Wendell Minnick in Defense News.

Wendell Minnick:

Two letters sent to [defense secretary Leon] Panetta - from Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., and Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va. - criticize the GE deal with AVIC by questioning the formation of an enterprise to develop integrated modular avionics (IMA) hardware and software for China. 

"This IMA technology was developed originally for the ... F-22 and F-35 fifth-generation fighter program," Forbes wrote in the Oct. 17 letter. 

Forbes said he is concerned the technology could end up in China's new stealth fighter, the J-20, under production by AVIC. 

Wolf responded with a Nov. 14 letter strongly supporting Forbes' call for a review and questioning whether GE could protect secrets from an aggressive Chinese espionage effort. 

"Given the breadth and scope of this espionage, GE's assertions that they will be able to fully protect sensitive technology lacks credibility," he wrote. "Should the GE-AVIC joint venture proceed, there is no question that all the sensitive technology involved will be completely compromised by the PLA [China's People's Liberation Army]."

More in Defense News.

Wendell Minnick is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch, or fill in our speakers' request form.  

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Taiwan buys a useless helicopter - Wendell Minnick

The wrong helicopter via Wikipedia

Taiwan's decision to purchase 31 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters for US$ 2.5 bn in stead of Cobras is blasted in an article in Atimes, as it does not fit any of the island's defense strategies. Defense expert Wendell Minnick explains why the decision is odd, to say the least.

"Taiwan has a high mountainous interior with low salty coastlands. Neither are friendly to Apaches," said Wendell Minnick, Asia bureau chief for Defense News, in an interview with Asia Times Online. "Taiwan wanted Apaches largely because they are the latest, most technologically advanced piece of equipment in the US arsenal, but it's the Cobras, which are popular with the US Marine Corps, that can handle the types of environments found in Taiwan with ease." 

The AH-1W Super Cobras Minnick recommends are the backbone of the US Marine Corps' attack helicopter fleet. Over the next decade, they will be replaced by the AH-1Z Viper upgrade, which is widely called "Zulu Cobra" in reference to its variant letter. The marines placed orders for more than 400 AH-1Zs, and one of the things that makes the Zulu Cobra especially suitable for a military that fights in proximity of seashores is that its rotor blades come with a semi-automatic folding design, which allows the helicopter to be stored aboard amphibious assault ships. The Longbow radar that gives the AH-64D Apache Longbow its name can also be mounted, along with the same missiles and rockets as the Apache. 

Neither from a military nor an economic point of view does Minnick see why Taiwan would choose the Apaches over the Cobras. "Taiwan already has two squadrons of AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters. It was given an option to procure 30 new Zulu Cobras and was offered an upgrade of their older Super Cobras up to Zulu standards. That would have given them 90 AH-1Z heavy attack helicopters in their inventory. But instead they chose Apaches."

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Wendell Minnick is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. When you need him at your conference or meeting, do get in touch.

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China's defense industry elbows into Africa - Wendell Minnick

Image via Wikipedia

China has become a new player in Africa and its defense industry is following that trend, notes Wendell Minnick in Defense News. China was competing with the once dominant Europeans at the September 2010 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD 2010) tri-service exhibition near Cape Town, South Africa.


In Defense News:

Chinese defense companies have taken a sizeable portion of exhibition space at Ysterplaat Air Force Base with more than 1,200 square meters. More than a dozen major defense companies are exhibiting at the Sept. 21-25 show, including China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp. (CATIC) and China North Industries Corp. (NORINCO).



China’s aggressive posture at the defense show reflects its broader strategies in Africa, where it has become a much more active supplier of arms.



More details at Wendell Minnick's weblog.

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Wendell Minnick by Fantake via Flickr

Wendell Minnick is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. When you need him at your conference or meeting, do get in touch.

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