The nation’s two World War II-era submarines are undergoing major renovations to upgrade their capabilities, but the Navy and the contractor might dismantle one to gain sub-building experience and study the manufacturing techniques, Minister of National Defense Kao Kuang-chi (高廣圻) said yesterday.
Kao made the remarks in response to questions from legislators yesterday regarding upgrades on the 70-year-old subs.
The upgrades are being undertaken at the Navy’s shipyard and by the China Shipbuilding Corp (CSBC) in Kaohsiung Harbor.
The US-built Hao Si (海獅, sea lion) and Hai Pao (海豹, seal) have been derided as antiques worthy of display in a naval museum.
However, both are still on active duty, a situation that critics contend highlights the nation’s struggle to modernize its submarine fleet, and also accents the navy’s lack of knowledge about new submarine technology.
Kao denied recent news reports that CSBC was looking to cancel its contract for the maintenance and renovation of the subs.
“The work to upgrade the submarines is still ongoing — it was not canceled — but we have to discuss the matter with CSBC to clarify the issues,” Kao said.
The ministry still plans to bolster the navy with new submarines, either purchasing them from foreign nations, or developing an indigenous sub program, he said.
“If we can get assistance and technical support from other nations, then I will support building the submarines ourselves,” Kao said.
Some legislators voiced concern that CSBC lacks experience in the maintenance and repair of submarines and has few qualified technicians, saying that the reassembly of a dismantled sub could be problematic.
Kao replied the major renovations and upgrades are under way, and if CSBC and the naval docks are unable to reassemble the submarines, then one submarine would be refurbished while the other is used to develop insight into the technology involved.
Vice Admiral Shang Jung-chiang (尚永強), assistant chief of staff for logistics at the ministry’s General Staff Headquarters, said CSBC has been reluctant to provide a cost estimate for the tender because of problems with the submarines’ stern and the hull’s oval structure.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
Carrefour Taiwan is to begin using a new name from the start of July, but it cannot divulge the name until then, the chairman of the supermarket chain's parent company said today. President Chain Store Co chairman Lo Chih-hsien (羅智先) was asked by reporters after a shareholders' meeting to confirm whether the company has settled on a new name for the supermarket brand. In March, the government-registered name of two Carrefour Taiwan branches was quietly changed to "Le Chia Kang" (樂家康) in Chinese, raising speculation that has been selected as the name. Lo said that because of local regulations and contractual obligations, the
The Philippines would likely be involved in any conflict over Taiwan due to its proximity to the democracy claimed by China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said, reiterating a stance that risks angering Beijing. “In the Philippines, we do not have a choice because Taiwan is so close to the Philippines and we have almost 200,000 Filipino nationals living and working in Taiwan,” Marcos said in an interview with Japanese media in Manila on Monday. The Philippine leader’s comments come ahead of a state visit to Japan next week, where he is to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss security
RSS