The Control Yuan has blasted the cost of a plan by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to relocate the operating base for its fleet of 12 Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft. The proposed change would bring about estimated expenses totaling NT$9.8 billion (US$326 million).
The US government in 2007 approved the sale of the 12 P-3Cs, with T-56 turboprop engines and related equipment and services, for US$1.96 billion.
Taiwan received the first P-3C aircraft in September last year. Three more arrived later last year. The air force said that five more P-3Cs are to be delivered to Taiwan this year, followed by another three next year, when the fleet would be commissioned.
Photo: CNA
The ministry said earlier this month that it was transferring the base of operations for the P-3Cs from Taoyuan County to Pingtung County, on account of the development of the Taoyuan Aerotropolis project.
Intended to create an industrial, commercial and residential development alongside a free economic pilot zone near Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, as well as expand the airport itself, the Aerotropolis project is estimated to require the seizure of more than 3,000 hectares of private land, affecting more than 12,000 households.
In a report issued last week, the Control Yuan quoted experts as saying that China poses the greatest national security threat to Taiwan and that basing the P-3C Orions in Taoyuan is the best choice, both to counter China’s East Sea Fleet and to better protect Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone.
The location was chosen more than a decade ago, but is being abandoned for political reasons — due to election concerns and “the lack of general nation development by the politicians,” the report quoted experts as saying.
The relocation of the base would be better internationally — as it would help the US observe the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines — but was next to worthless in terms of domestic national security to the north of the nation, the report quoted the experts as saying.
The relocation would also necessitate multiple revisions to building plans and create conflicts due to operational requirements, the report said.
In the plan, national resources are poorly allocated and also caused the US, the nation’s staunchest military ally, to question the domestic levels of determination in terms of national defense, the report said.
In response, the ministry said the decision was made based on the ministry’s principle of sharing resources across all armed forces, due to limited manpower and resources, adding that it also coincided with national economic construction policies.
Meanwhile, the report said that rumors that the Taoyuan Aerotropolis project was sparking real-estate speculation were rampant, damaging civilian confidence in the government.
The local government should ensure the integrity of construction policies, efficient promotion and communication between the government and civilians and the transparency of the project, the report said.
In response, the Taoyuan County Government said it would work on making land seizures more transparent and would step up efforts to relocate displaced residents.
The county added that it would work with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to minimize land speculation, as well as follow national industrial development policies as much as possible.
The report was presented by Control Yuan members Chou Yang-shan (周揚山), Ko Yung-kuang (葛永光) and Ma Hsiu-ju (馬秀如).
During their investigation, the three met with all parties involved in the relocation decision, they said. Among the stakeholders, meetings with academics and experts began on April 15.
Additional talks were held with Republic of China (ROC) Air Force General Chen Tien-sheng (陳添勝) and ROC Navy Vice Admiral Pu Tze-chun (蒲澤春) on May 6, Deputy Minister of National Defense Andrew Hsia (夏立言) on June 5 and Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Chien-yu (陳建宇), Civil Aeronautics Administration Director-General Shen Chi (沈啟) and former Taoyuan Aerotropolis general manager Lee Wei-feng (李維峰) on June 23.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College