Army Command Headquarters yesterday said that only anti-tank munitions would be included in a proposed purchase of US Volcano mine-dispensing systems, and the deal does not breach international laws banning anti-personnel mines.
The statement came after independent Legislator May Chin (高金素梅) expressed concern that the proposed purchase risked creating a “landmine hell” similar to that experienced by post-war Cambodia.
The metal-cased anti-vehicle mines could not be accidentally triggered by people stepping on them, and such munitions would only be deployed in the event of war, the army said in a statement.
Photo: Screen grab from the US Army Reserve Web site
It also said that a purchase of the Volcano systems would not breach local and international laws prohibiting the acquisition and use of anti-personnel mines.
The US Army in the 1980s developed the M136 Volcano automated mine delivery system, which can be mounted on ground vehicles or helicopters.
Called a Ground Volcano when fitted to land-based vehicles, it uses prepackaged mine canisters that contain multiple anti-personnel or anti-tank mines that can be placed across a vast area.
The main advantage of the system to Taiwan is its ability to rapidly deploy anti-tank mines to ward off an amphibious landing, the army said, adding that it has been considering such a purchase since 2018.
The proposed US$180 million deal — approved by the US Department of State on Dec. 28 last year — includes vehicle-launched Volcano anti-tank munition-laying systems and M977A4 HEMTT 10-tonne cargo trucks on which the system would be mounted, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
The sale is likely to be confirmed by the US Congress within the next month, it added.
Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a research fellow at the government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, dismissed concerns that the arms deal would contravene the UN Ottawa Treaty, given that it bans the use of anti-personnel landmines only.
Changes made by Washington to the US’ anti-personnel landmine policy places bans on producing and exporting anti-personnel landmines, he added.
Taiwan would only deploy the Volcano anti-tank system to a few beaches on which an amphibious landing could be made, Su said.
The mines themselves are defensive in nature and would delay rather than defeat an enemy advance, he added.
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