The Ministry of National Defense yesterday said it would invest NT$970 million (US$32.2 million) over the next three years to establish a facility to hold simulated combat scenarios that use lasers instead of live ammunition in response to protests over the environmental effects of military drills.
The ministry concluded its annual five-day Han Kuang exercise on Friday.
The facility would use laser emitters and receptors to simulate trading of fire on both sides, officials said, adding that the system has a “playback” function that would allow participating units to watch replays and review tactics.
After evaluating offers from US, Swiss and Taiwanese companies, the ministry rewarded the contract to Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology.
The institute would begin working on the project this year with the facility expected to become operational by 2019, the ministry said.
The ministry said it would be building facilities in its southern and northern training centers for a single battalion-strength unit, adding that another system would be set up at the Army Command Headquarters training center for a mechanized infantry battalion.
A similar system was installed in 2006, but its laser emitters are showing signs of wear, the ministry said, adding that its receptors have limited range and its sensors cannot be mounted on any vehicle other than Humvees.
The limitations make the system insufficient for the military’s training and assessment needs, the ministry said.
Live-fire exercises for all types of precision missiles across all branches of the armed forces would continue, the ministry said, adding that the drills would be held next month and in July.
Live-fire exercises must be held separately from the Han Kuang exercise because they need to be held in Jioupeng Bay (九鵬灣) and data from missile launches are gathered in a specific manner, officials said.
Short-range anti-aircraft missiles and anti-ship missiles are the main types of missiles to be tested during next month’s drill, officials said.
The army would be testing the Chaparral surface-to-air (SAM) missile system, while Stinger missiles would be test-fired by both the army and the marines, they said.
Helicopter-borne Hellfire missiles would also be fired during the exercises, the ministry said.
From next month to July, the ministry would be placing all units equipped with tube-launched optically tracked and wire-command linked missiles on alert for the exercises.
All missiles would be tracking targets off the coast of Taiwan proper, the ministry said.
The ministry did not offer specific information regarding the test-fire of long-range air-to-air, SAM, naval SAM or long-range anti-ship missiles, saying only that launches are planned.
Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. Guan Guan has said many controversial statements in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” and expressing hope for expedited reunification. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. After verifying the reports, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and explain her actions. Guan
GIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boost
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau audited six hotels in an effort to prevent price gouging ahead of Korean band BTS’ concert tour in the city scheduled for Nov. 19, 21 and 22 this year. The bureau on Friday said that the audits — conducted in response to allegations of unfair pricing posted on social media — found no wrongdoing. These establishments included the local branches of Chateau de Chine, Hotel Nikko, My Humble House, and Grand Hai Lai, it said, adding that the Consumer Protection Commission would have penalized price gougers had the accusations been substantiated. The bureau said the Tourism Development Act
BACK TO WINTER: A strong continental cold air mass would move south on Tuesday next week, bringing colder temperatures to northern and central Taiwan A tropical depression east of the Philippines could soon be upgraded to be the first tropical storm of this year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the next cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Monday next week. CWA forecaster Cheng Jie-ren (鄭傑仁) said the first tropical depression of this year is over waters east of the Philippines, about 1,867km southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Nokaen by early today. The system is moving slowly from northwest to north, and is expected to remain east of the Philippines with little chance of affecting Taiwan,
RSS