By The South Asia Times

BEIJING — Taiwan's reported decision to prioritize purchasing new weapons instead of upgrading aging military equipment will not alter the military balance across the Taiwan Strait, Chinese military analysts have said, according to a report published Monday by China's state-run Global Times.

Citing Taiwan's United Daily News, the newspaper said Taiwan's regional defense authorities have instructed that, in principle, no new modernization programs should be proposed for older weapons systems, with future spending instead focused on acquiring new military platforms.

The reported policy would affect upgrades for several aging systems, including the army's M60A3 tanks, the navy's S-70C anti-submarine helicopters, and the air force's C-130H transport aircraft. According to the report, Taiwan is instead pursuing the procurement of MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters and 10 C-130J transport aircraft.

In the past, Taiwan frequently used operational maintenance funds to extend the service life of existing equipment because of difficulties in obtaining foreign-made weapons. The reported shift reflects a preference for replacing older platforms with newer systems.

The Global Times quoted Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping as arguing that replacing equipment would not close what he described as a "generational gap" in military capabilities between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

Song said Taiwan's defense budget remains limited and that increased purchases of U.S.-made weapons could place greater financial pressure on the island while failing to significantly change the cross-Strait military balance.

The report also cited unnamed sources as saying Taiwan's defense chief, Wellington Koo, had previously argued that, if sufficient funding were available, new weapons procurement should take precedence over upgrading older systems.

According to the report, Taiwan's navy has reportedly prioritized acquiring new MH-60R helicopters to replace its more than 30-year-old S-70C fleet, amid what it described as growing attention to anti-submarine warfare in the region. The report also said the air force's planned modernization of its C-130H transport aircraft, known as the "Taiwushan No. 3" project, would be replaced by an effort to purchase new C-130J aircraft.

The Global Times also cited a report by Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, which said Taiwan continues to face delays in receiving U.S.-supplied military equipment. It noted that torpedoes ordered for Taiwan's Chien Lung-class submarines have yet to be delivered years after funding was approved.

The Chinese newspaper further referenced reports from Taiwan that several rockets failed to launch during a June live-fire exercise involving High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), although Taiwanese authorities have not publicly linked the incident to broader procurement issues.

Beijing views Taiwan as an inseparable part of China and opposes U.S. arms sales to the island. Chinese officials have repeatedly said they reserve the option to use force against what they describe as separatist activities, while emphasizing a preference for peaceful reunification.

Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says strengthening its defense capabilities is necessary to deter military pressure from the mainland. The United States, while maintaining unofficial relations with Taipei, continues to provide defensive weapons under the Taiwan Relations Act, a policy that Beijing strongly opposes.