Taiwan Plans to Buy 60 More Black Hawks
Aims to Enhance Defense Capabilities Amid US Tariffs and China Tensions
Amid escalating tensions with China and facing a 32% reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States, Taiwan is planning to purchase an additional 60 US-made Black Hawk helicopters.
According to Taiwanese media outlets such as the United Daily News on April 18, "Among the helicopters operated by the Taiwanese Army, only the Apache (AH-64) attack helicopter, Cobra (AH-1S) helicopter, and OH-58D Kiowa armed reconnaissance helicopter are capable of carrying a significant number of Hellfire missiles." Separately, the reports stated that Taiwan currently possesses 60 UH-60M Black Hawks.
However, of the 60 Black Hawks, 30 have been delivered to the Ministry of the Interior and the Air Force Rescue Team, leaving the Army with only 30 in operation.
One source explained, "Taking into account the retirement of the aging UH-1H utility helicopters and issues such as the acquisition of the OH-58D helicopter manufacturer by another company, Taiwan has decided to purchase additional Black Hawks."
Su Tzu-yun, a researcher at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) in Taiwan, emphasized that Black Hawks deployed in the rear can use Hellfire missiles with a range of up to 10 kilometers to attack enemy forces landing in Taiwan or to rapidly support Taiwanese troops tasked with preventing amphibious landings.
Another source stated that of the Black Hawks Taiwan plans to purchase, 30 will be for attack purposes. In addition, Taiwan intends to buy attack kits for its currently operated multipurpose Black Hawks, enabling them to be equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch rockets, GAU-19 heavy machine guns, and M134 miniguns.
The source added that Taiwan's Navy and Air Force are also considering the purchase of MH-60S Seahawk maritime operations helicopters and HH-60W Jolly Green search and rescue helicopters, respectively.
Some analysts view the additional Black Hawk purchase as a measure to counter the US reciprocal tariffs. Previously, Taiwan decided to participate in the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) development project, which has strong backing from US President Donald Trump. On March 20, Taiwan's state-owned oil company CPC Corporation signed a letter of intent for LNG purchase and investment with the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) of the United States.
Local media have reported that Taiwan is planning to spend $200 billion (approximately 284 trillion won) over the next 10 years on purchases from the United States as it prepares for reciprocal tariff negotiations.
Authorities estimate that if the 32% reciprocal tariff on Taiwan-related products announced by the Trump administration actually takes effect, it could impact this year's economic growth rate by 0.43% to 1.61%.
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