Taiwan's air force, the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF), is seeking funding to order up to 18 new tactical transport aircraft to replace its fleet of elderly Fairchild C-119s, many of which are now grounded because of a lack of spare parts.
Taiwan has issued a request for information and begun a preliminary evaluation of competing aircraft types. A budget request is now being drawn up, and a formal request for proposals is expected to be sent to selected manufacturers by mid-1998.
The air force has already stipulated that a rear ramp will be a mandatory requirement, for paratroop and low-altitude-cargo air drops. Local industrial co-operation is also viewed as a prerequisite. Officials suggest that the size of the procurement is unlikely to support a local assembly line, but rather sole-source structural work packages. Empennage subassembly is one option being discussed.
Leading contenders include the Allison AE2100-powered C-27J, being promoted by the new Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems joint venture. The latest Series 300 versions of the CN235 are being offered separately by Casa and Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara of Indonesia.
Aero International (Regional) has also been trying to interest Taiwan in the proposed ATR 52C transport, but this is viewed by many as an outside contender.
All three types have already been shortlisted by the Royal Australian Air Force to fulfil mission requirements similar to those of the RoCAF.
The RoCAF had been hoping to secure funding in the 1998/9 financial year to award a contract.
Industry sources suggest the programme's schedule is now likely to slip by 12 months, as a result of competing funding claims for fighter and Government VIP aircraft procurements.
A new presidential transport aircraft is required to replace the RoCAF's three Fokker 50s, which are now employed on VIP missions within Taiwan.
The presidential office is understood to want a larger-capacity jet aircraft and is looking at the New Generation Boeing 737 or 757.
Linked to the selection of a new tactical transport is the longer-term need for a maritime-patrol aircraft to replace the navy's Northrop Grumman S-2Ts.
Taiwan has been offered surplus US Navy Lockheed Martin P-3 Orions, but it is also considering a smaller type, such as the Spanish and Indonesian maritime-patrol versions of the CN-235 or a proposed maritime derivative of the C-27J.
Source: Flight International
