Taiwan has started negotiations with the US regarding the procurement of 66 F-16 fighter aircraft in order to strengthen its national defense, Deputy Minister of National Defense Ko Cheng-heng (
Ko's comments appeared in an interview published in Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun yesterday.
Ko was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the arms purchase bill passed by the legislature in the middle of last month -- which included funds for the acquisition of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft -- would help narrow the gap in military capacity between Taiwan and China.
Ministry of National Defense estimates show that the arms purchase will help maintain a ratio in military capabilities of 1:1.67 between Taiwan and China until 2035.
This ratio, Ko said, would allow Taiwan to defend itself.
The legislature has already made it clear it will pass a classified budget for the purchase of 66 F16C/D fighter jets, pending approval by the US, he said.
The F16C/D is an improved version of the 146 F16A/B fighter aircraft Taiwan currently has in its fleet.
Ko said the aircraft carrier that China plans to develop is not necessary for launching an attack on Taiwan.
Instead, Ko said, the buildup is incontrovertible evidence that China is trying to use its military expansion to develop into a global power.
The ministry has determined that since the beginning of this year, Beijing has increased its military activities in the East China Sea, Ko said.
Chinese military ships and aircraft have also appeared more frequently in the waters and airspace east of Taiwan since the beginning of this year, probably to collect intelligence, Ko said.
Ko expressed his hope for expanded military exchanges between Taiwan and Japan and praised the defense white paper recently issued by Tokyo.
He was referring to the report issued on Friday by the Japanese Defense Ministry.
The report expressed concerns over a lack of transparency in China's fast-growing military spending.
It also stated that China's military buildup was more ambitious than what would be required for it to enter into military conflict with Taiwan.
The annual report, approved by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet, argued that China's buildup of its navy and air force -- in addition to its interest in acquiring aircraft carrier capability -- was to enable it to project force outside its immediate boundaries.
The report also warned that North Korea has been improving its missile system so that it could cover all of east Asia and potentially reach the northern tip of Australia as well as part of Alaska.
The Republic of China (ROC) is celebrating its 114th Double Ten National Day today, featuring military parades and a variety of performances and speeches in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei. The Taiwan Taiko Association opened the celebrations with a 100-drummer performance, including young percussionists. As per tradition, an air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet flew over the Presidential Office as a part of the performance. The Honor Guards of the ROC and its marching band also heralded in a military parade. Students from Taichung's Shin Min High School then followed with a colorful performance using floral imagery to represent Taiwan's alternate name
COGNITIVE WARFARE: Chinese fishing boats transmitting fake identification signals are meant to test Taiwan’s responses to different kinds of perceived incursions, a report said Chinese vessels are transmitting fake signals in Taiwan’s waters as a form of cognitive warfare, testing Taipei’s responses to various types of incursions, a report by the Institute for the Study of War said on Friday. Several Chinese fishing vessels transmitted fake automatic identification system (AIS) signals in Taiwan’s waters last month, with one mimicking a Russian warship and another impersonating a Chinese law enforcement vessel, the report said. Citing data from Starboard Maritime Intelligence, the report said that throughout August and last month, the Chinese fishing boat Minshiyu 06718 (閩獅漁06718) sailed through the Taiwan Strait while intermittently transmitting its own AIS
CHINESE INFILTRATION: Medical logistics is a lifeline during wartime and the reported CCP links of a major logistics company present a national security threat, an expert said The government would bolster its security check system to prevent China from infiltrating the nation’s medical cold chain, a national security official said yesterday. The official, who wished to stay anonymous, made the remarks after the Chinese-language magazine Mirror Media (鏡周刊) reported that Pharma Logistics (嘉里醫藥物流) is in charge of the medical logistics of about half of the nation’s major hospitals, including National Taiwan University Hospital and Taipei Veterans General Hospital. The company’s parent, Kerry TJ Logistics Co (嘉里大榮物流), is associated with the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the
COVETED PRIZE: The US president would be a peace prize laureate should he persuade Xi Jinping to abandon military aggression against Taiwan, William Lai said US President Donald Trump should get the Nobel Peace Prize should he be able to convince Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to abandon the use of force against Taiwan, President William Lai (賴清德) told a conservative US radio show and podcast in an interview. The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer, despite the absence of formal ties, but since Trump took office earlier this year he has not announced any new arms sales to the nation. Trump could meet Xi at the APEC summit in South Korea on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Lai, speaking on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
RSS