Taiwan to receive first P-3C anti-submarine aircraft by year end

Taiwan will take delivery of the first batch of 12 submarine-hunting aircraft purchased from the United States by the end of this year, which will beef up the country's anti-submarine capabilities, the Navy said Saturday.

The P-3Cs will be delivered to Taiwan starting this year, with the last aircraft in the arms deal scheduled to arrive here by the end of 2015, the Navy said.

The P-3C, the most capable Orion version, has advanced submarine detection capability.

In 2007, the U.S. government approved the sale of the P-3Cs with T-56 turboprop engines, and other associated equipment and services at an estimated cost of US$1.96 billion.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has taken delivery of the UGM-84L sub-launched Harpoon missiles purchased from the U.S. and is equipping them on two of Taiwan's submarines, the Navy confirmed.

The new weapons will bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities, the Navy said.