The ultimate question is whether 29 helicopters will change the balance of power between China and Taiwan, or whether the Apaches are largely symbolic.

The National Interest
Date: August 16, 2018  
By: Michael Peck
With great fanfare, Taiwan has recently activated a brigade of U.S.-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

The 601st Air Cavalry Brigade is equipped with 29 Boeing AH-64Es in a $1.9 billion sale by the Obama administration in 2011. Though the deal was denounced by China, the 30 helicopters (one crashed into a building during a 2014 training flight) were delivered in 2013 and 2014, and the two Apache squadrons have since been training for their debut.

“The 601st brigade is responsible for the defense of Taipei and the rest of northern Taiwan,” according to Asia Times . “It has two combat squadrons that provide air support alongside armor, artillery, special forces and infantry units.” The Apaches will be supplemented by Taiwan’s 61 AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters. Their counterparts across the Taiwan Straits are Communist China’s Z-10 attack helicopter .

There is no doubt that the AH-64E is a powerful weapon. Armed with a Longbow radar, 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles or four Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, the Apache can deliver a horrific amount of firepower. A brigade of 29 Apaches is even more deadly.    [FULL  STORY]