Taiwan's cabinet has approved the purchase of 12 used Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft and three new Lockheed Martin/Raytheon Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air defence missile systems, writes Brendan Sobie. Pending final legislature approval, the Patriot batteries will be acquired for NT$145 billion ($4.3 billion) and the P-3Cs for NT$53 billion.

Industry sources in Taiwan say Lockheed Martin expects to win a prime contract from the US Navy for a structural and mission system upgrade to the P-3s, but that much of the work may be outsourced to local companies. Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), Air Asia, China Airlines and EVA Air subsidiary Evergreen Aviation Technologies are vying for this work. AIDC could be selected to manufacture upgrade kits, with one of the maintenance, repair and overhaul firms to install these and provide future support.

Lockheed Martin will propose a work package to the USN once Taiwan's legislature has approved the special budget plan and the scope of work required is determined.

Taiwan's legislature is expected to approve the special budget plan - which also includes funding to acquire eight submarines - after reviewing all the US-built defence equipment set for purchase.

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Source: Flight International