THAW THE FREEZE: DPP Legislator Lo Chih-cheng said that the US has approved the exportation of systems to Taiwan, so there is no legitimate reason to stall the budget

Taipei Times
Date: Dec 17, 2020..
By: Yang Chun-hui, Lin Chia-nan and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writer

The US has notified Taiwan that export permits for digital sonar systems needed in locally made submarines have been cleared and the systems’ exportation approved, Deputy Minister of National Defense (MND) Chang Che-ping (張哲平) said yesterday.

Sonar systems, diesel engines, torpedo and missile systems, and an integrated combat system have all been categorized as “red,” Chang said.

The ministry has divided required components into three categories: “red” for imported technologies that the country is unable to research and develop, or manufacture itself; “yellow” for parts that are difficult to obtain, but can be produced locally; and “green” for components that can be manufactured locally.

Deputy Minister of National Defense Chang Che-ping answers questions at the legislature in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: Taipei Times

The exportation of sonar systems would not require the US Congress to be notified, as they would be purchased directly from the manufacturer, Chang said.  [FULL  STORY]