"Air force is the first line of defense for Taiwan and strengthening the air force is the most important pillar (to maintain) security and stability in the Taiwan Strait," said President Chen Shui-bian at an airbase in southern Pingtung county.

"We expect the 'Hawkeye aircraft'...to enhance our armed forces, to defend the sovereignty of the country," he said.

The public ceremony comes as Chen's government has been locked in a battle with opposition lawmakers over military spending.

His administration initially wanted to spend 19 billion US dollars over 15 years to buy arms from the United States, but has since scaled back the amount under pressure from the opposition.

The latest version calls for the purchase of eight conventional submarines, 12 P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft and six PAC-3 Patriot anti-missile systems at a cost of some 10.6 billion dollars.

Some opposition lawmakers say Taiwan cannot afford the arms deal. Others say the equipment would be delivered too slowly to enable the island to keep pace with China's military build-up.

The E-2K airplanes are expected to expand the surveillance range of radar and carry out all-weather operations to improve Taiwan's early warning system.

They can also guide fighters to execute interception and control missions, conduct regional air surveillance and electronic reconnaissance.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still sees the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

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