Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

data Chart: US-FMTV truck

reporter/Weidong Xu

years, Taiwan has been doing everything possible to strengthen the air defense combat power, finalized with the U.S. “Patriot”-3 air defense missile procurement after the case , Taiwan seems to be a little relieved. But how expensive the “Patriot” missiles to carry forward the maximum combat power, and effectively protect themselves, but become a problem. According to Voice of America, the United States, “Defense News” and other media, U.S. assistance to Taiwan once again, to buy BAE’s U.S. subsidiary, Texas, the “family of medium tactical vehicles” series trucks.

“ancillary services” to do at home

BAE company recently disclosed that the company from the U.S. Department of Defense to accept a $ 5.5 million contract for the Taiwan’s “Patriot” -3 air defense missile production 24 truck. These trucks will be BAE’s military vehicles in the United States, Texas manufacturing plant is expected for delivery in December this year.

BAE said the company, they will be based on the U.S. Army “Tank – Motor Vehicle and Ordnance Command” (TACOM) contract, the FMTV trucks to be converted, as Taiwan’s “Patriot” missile system support vehicles.

Taiwan ordered 24 FMTV Series trucks, including: eight 5-ton M1086 truck, equipped with vehicle loading and unloading equipment; 9 M1096 5-ton truck; 5 M1088-type tractor. More than three truck belong to the U.S. Army’s family of medium tactical vehicles trucks, all to the C-130 transport aircraft. BAE Systems president of global tactical Morris said in a statement, “FMTV trucks can add a series of armor, better able to support the escalation of the” Patriot “system to improve its protection and mobility.

anti-landing “accomplice”

as a platform for advanced heavy-duty transportation, FMTV Series trucks could play a greater role, although Taiwan’s military disclosed, FMTV Series trucks mainly used to transport the “Patriot” missiles, but Taiwan’s military experts believe that this can be a variety of advanced fire truck platform.

Taiwan’s “military experts” Global Defense magazine editor Shi Xiaowei told the U.S. media interview, said, “(FMTV trucks in the series) M1086 models can be used to transport the future of the Taiwan military equipment (” Patriot “-3) missile, M1088 can be used to drag the mobile launchers and mobile radar, and the M1096 can be used for attachment of the vehicle. “In addition to specialized support,” Patriot “war, the Shi Xiaowei that Taiwan has not been determined,” Thunder “-2000 rocket truck, so the introduction of the FMTV series trucks can come in handy in this regard. Shi Xiaowei, said:” multi-barrel rocket launchers is mainly used for anti-landing operations, Taiwan has manufactured rockets, but some trucks have it working. M1096 is no bucket, and it uses more extensive, more than can be directly mounted rocket launchers on top. “

for island mobile

U.S. Army transport and logistical support as the main, FMTV Series M1086 truck has been with tanks, armored battle battlefield In the U.S. view, these go into armored trucks are often used as combat vehicles, they can in the secondary highways and country roads Rulvpingdi, zero to minus 46 degrees Celsius and 49 degrees Celsius on the extreme weather conditions on the normal use was also not affected.

analysts pointed out that the entire island of Taiwan to build a sound road transport network, wheeled vehicles can be rapidly mobilized, from south to north through the island does not take too many hours. Taiwan US-made military army re-introduction of a large number of cards, some other types of missiles and equipment can also use them to quickly deploy Furthermore, even if roads have been a certain degree of damage, very capable off-road series of the FMTV trucks can handle it, and ordinary civil trucks do not have such advantages.

visible, the United States to sell Taiwan FMTV series trucks, not only to expand Taiwan’s “Patriot” missile range operations, enhance its viability, but also to sell Taiwan The purpose other advanced equipment, like nothing less than to Taiwan cheer cheer, fear Taiwan’s “lost confidence”.