Taiwan is preparing to develop its next generation of indigenous fighter jets, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said.
Tsai revealed the plan in an interview with Era News that aired on Sunday evening in which she reflected on her two terms in office.
Tsai highlighted the government’s resolve to build up Taiwan’s autonomy in the area of defense systems.
Photo: Screen grab from Era News’ YouTube channel
As part of that commitment, the government plans to start developing the next generation of fighter aircraft, she said, without giving details.
Under the government’s defense autonomy plan, it would take delivery of 66 Brave Eagle advanced trainer aircraft by 2026, Tsai said, adding that 27 have already been delivered.
“If [the plan] is interrupted, it would be difficult to resume,” the president said, expressing hope that the next president would continue to support the development of the nation’s defense industry.
Tsai, whose second and final presidential term ends on May 20, reiterated that her defense policy centers on Taiwan gaining “defense autonomy.”
When other countries are contemplating joining forces to safeguard Taiwan, the main question is always whether Taiwan is firmly committed to self-defense, she said.
The government’s efforts to bolster its defense systems are driven in part by its desire to prove its capabilities and commitment to protect itself, she said.
Taiwan in September last year unveiled the prototype of its first indigenous submarine — the Hai Kun (海鯤), or “Narwhal” — which Tsai said was a milestone in the country’s efforts to obtain defense autonomy.
Submarine construction calls for systematic design and integration capabilities, and it is an all-encompassing undertaking that requires talent, she said.
The Hai Kun is expected to be delivered to the navy by the end of the year, after testing is completed.
Tsai in the interview also talked about cross-strait relations, saying it is the biggest challenge for “every administration and president of Taiwan.”
She said that bilateral relations essentially consist of two scenarios — either the positions of the two parties are in alignment and everything runs smoothly, or there is a conflict of interests.
When conflicts arise, it is crucial to manage the risks, she said.
Given the inherent differences in the relations between Taiwan and China, the government of Taiwan must navigate and mitigate those risks, she said.
Based on that perception, she adopted the position of “maintaining the status quo” across the Taiwan Strait when she took office in 2016, and she remains committed to that concept, she said.
An Emirates flight from Dubai arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport yesterday afternoon, the first service of the airline since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday. Flight EK366 took off from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 3:51am yesterday and landed at 4:02pm before taxiing to the airport’s D6 gate at Terminal 2 at 4:08pm, data from the airport and FlightAware, a global flight tracking site, showed. Of the 501 passengers on the flight, 275 were Taiwanese, including 96 group tour travelers, the data showed. Tourism Administration Deputy Director-General Huang He-ting (黃荷婷) greeted Taiwanese passengers at the airport and
STRAIT OF HORMUZ: In the case of a prolonged blockade by Iran, Taiwan would look to sources of LNG outside the Middle East, including Australia and the US Taiwan would not have to ration power due to a shortage of natural gas, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said yesterday, after reports that the Strait of Hormuz was closed amid the conflict in the Middle East. The government has secured liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies for this month and contingency measures are in place if the conflict extends into next month, Kung told lawmakers. Saying that 25 percent of Taiwan’s natural gas supplies are from Qatar, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) asked about the situation in light of the conflict. There would be “no problems” with
PLANE HIT: The Israeli military said it shot down an Iranian Air Force fighter over Tehran, while an Iranian warship sank off Sri Lanka, with no cause known The US and Israel yesterday hit Iran’s capital and other cities in multiple airstrikes on the fifth day of the war with Iran. Israel targeted the Iranian leadership and security forces, while the Islamic Republic responded with missile barrages and drone attacks on Israel, and across the region. Tehran residents woke to dawn blasts and Iranian state television showed the ruins of building in the center of the capital. The Shiite seminary city of Qom and multiple other cities were also targeted. With fighter jets roaring overhead, those still in Tehran looked anxiously to the skies. One man, who ran a clothing shop,
Taiwan pineapples are to be exported to the US for the first time later this year, after the US yesterday announced importation requirements, the Ministry of Agriculture said today. The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service yesterday published a draft of requirements to import Taiwanese pineapples, with a 62-day comment period, the ministry said in a news release. The US maintains strict requirements for imported fresh fruit, it said. The ministry’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency applied to export pineapples to the US in 2020 and has since cooperated with the US to provide all the necessary information and reports, it
RSS