Taiwan and the US are working to expedite key arms deals, including F-16V Block 70 jets, AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons and Mark 48 heavy torpedoes, while delivery of Stinger and Harpoon missiles are on schedule, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said today.
The Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee today invited the Ministry of National Defense to deliver a briefing on arms procurement delays.
Regarding delays on the delivery of F-16V jets, AGM-154C missiles and Mark 48 torpedoes, Koo told reporters before the session that the ministry would more closely supervise the contract.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
The US has also set up a dedicated office to make sure this project is completed as quickly as possible, he said.
Regarding the delivery of Stinger and Harpoon missiles, Koo said the items are still within the timeframe of the agreement signed with the US and have not been delayed.
Regarding delays on the delivery of Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤), Koo said that quality should take priority, and CSBC Corp and the navy are working hard.
Contractual penalties for delayed delivery of NT$190,000 per day are meant to ensure the contract is fulfilled, he said, adding that completing the submarine remains the goal.
All arms deliveries would be managed according to the schedules set in the agreements with the US, he added.
As President William Lai (賴清德) has pledged to raise the defense budget to 5 percent of GDP by 2030, the budget would be allocated based on current threats, defense capabilities and military preparation requirements, Koo said.
The budget would cover not only arms and equipment, but also training and organizational aspects, he added.
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
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