Raytheon Technologies has secured a contract to update Taiwan’s surveillance radar.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force told Breaking Defense that the upgrade will enhance the air surveillance capability of the decade-old technology.
The Taiwan early warning radar was built in 2013 to allow Taipei to monitor its airspace and detect incoming ballistic and cruise missiles or enemy aircraft.
The establishment of the 105-foot radar system was a response to increasing tensions between the island nation and neighboring China. The technology provides a 240-degree view of surrounding areas, including North Korea and Japan.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awarded the firm-fixed-price contract to Raytheon on a sole source basis. The RTX business unit is the primary lead integrator and original equipment manufacturer of the radar.
The AFLCMC did not divulge the contract’s total value, but work on the upgrade is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The EWR remains a vital part of Taiwan’s defense strategy.
On March 22, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence detected 36 Chinese military aircraft and six naval ships around the island, noting that 13 of the aircraft even “crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.”
