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President Ma Ying-jeou attends the official ceremony in Tainan
to mark the delivery of the aircraft on Friday.
The Republic of China Army demonstrated the capabilities of its six newly acquired AH-64E Apache attack helicopters Friday at an official ceremony in southern Taiwan to mark the United States' delivery of the aircraft.
During the demonstration, the US-made helicopters were flown at low altitude, made to hover, and put through shift turns.
The ceremony was attended by the president, Ma Ying-jeou, defense minister, Yen Min,g and other high-ranking government officials, as well as Christopher Marut, director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Office.
The aircraft is the world's top attack helicopter and will bolster the country's combat capabilities, Ma said.
The president also touted the close security cooperation between Taiwan and the US and thanked the US for its assistance in the procurement process and its training of Taiwan military personnel.
Equipped with AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar, the US-made helicopter is good for both land and sea-based operations.
The six helicopters, which arrived in Taiwan in early November, are part of a 30-helicopter package purchased by Taiwan at cost of more than US$2 billion.
The procurement of the aircraft will greatly improve the Taiwanese military's mobility and firepower, according to the defense ministry.
The model E is the latest in the Apache attack helicopter series.
The second batch of Apaches is scheduled to be delivered to Taiwan early next year, and the last batch by the end of 2014, a military spokesperson said.
ROC Army shows off newly acquired Apache choppers|Politics|News|WantChinaTimes.com