The Ministry of National Defense yesterday confirmed a media report that said an air force major has been detained on suspicion of leaking confidential information gathered from E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft to Chinese nationals.
The Chinese-language United Daily News reported yesterday that an air force major surnamed Hau (郝), who served in the electronic warfare unit at Pingtung Air Force Base, allegedly delivered confidential information gathered from the E-2s to Chinese nationals through a Taiwanese civilian. Hau has been charged with breaching the National Security Act (國家安全法), the report added.
The ministry said in a press release yesterday that the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office’s Greater Kaohsiung branch on Sept. 25 applied to detain Hau, which was granted.
Photo: Chang Chung-yi, Taipei Times
The military’s security unit became concerned about Hau and referred the case to prosecutors for further investigation in June, the press release said, adding that Hau was the only suspect, and that media reports saying more than 10 military personnel were involved were inaccurate.
According to the United Daily News report, prosecutors raided Hau’s office and residence. They also found “unclear sources of funds” in his bank accounts.
The ministry, citing a gag order because the case is under investigation, said it would not comment further.
The air force procured four E-2T aircraft from the US in 1995. After adding two more E-2K planes in 2006, it currently has six Hawkeyes in service. In 2010 two E-2Ts were upgraded to E-2Ks.
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