The Coast Guard Administration plans to lease a second helicopter from a civil-aviation company this year to strengthen its search, rescue and surveillance capabilities, sources said.
The first leased helicopter, a commercial model with night-vision capabilities, has been very useful over the past year in executing dangerous rescue missions in rough seas.
It was also the first to take photos of a Chinese spy ship which intruded into Taiwan's waters off Orchid Island last fall.
The photos provided information to the military about what the spy ship might be capable of doing.
Administration director Wang Chun (王郡) said in a recent meeting with the press that besides helicopters, the administration also plans to lease fixed-wing aircraft.
Wang did not say what kind of aircraft or how many of them the administration wants to lease.
A lack of money and pilots will probably prevent the administration leasing any aircraft for at least a few weeks, however.
An official with the administration, who declined to be identified, said the administration is still studying what kind of aircraft would be most suitable.
"The study might last for some time, since we want to use the least possible money to get the greatest benefit," the official said.
AGING: While Japan has 22 submarines, Taiwan only operates four, two of which were commissioned by the US in 1945 and 1946, and transferred to Taiwan in 1973 Taiwan would need at least 12 submarines to reach modern fleet capabilities, CSBC Corp, Taiwan chairman Chen Cheng-hung (陳政宏) said in an interview broadcast on Friday, citing a US assessment. CSBC is testing the nation’s first indigenous defense submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤, Narwhal), which is scheduled to be delivered to the navy next month or in July. The Hai Kun has completed torpedo-firing tests and is scheduled to undergo overnight sea trials, Chen said on an SET TV military affairs program. Taiwan would require at least 12 submarines to establish a modern submarine force after assessing the nation’s operational environment and defense
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