DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENT: The president praised an advanced jet trainer program and reiterated the government’s commitment to building indigenous submarines
Taipei Times
Date: Dec 02, 2017
By: Staff writer, with CNA
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday at a military ceremony reiterated her resolve to
President Tsai Ing-wen, right, waves during a military ceremony at Pingtung Airbase yesterday. Photo: CNA
build strong self-defense capabilities for Taiwan.
“Building a capable self-defense will make our military and nation even stronger,” Tsai said, as she presided over a ceremony at Pingtung Airbase to mark the commissioning of 12 P-3C Orion maritime surveillance planes and the decommissioning of the fleet of 11 S-2T Trackers.
The 12 P-3Cs, acquired from the US for US$1.9 billion in 2007, are to replace the aging S-2T maritime patrol aircraft that have been in service for more than 40 years, and are expected to boost the nation’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the base said.
Seen as playing an essential role in anti-submarine warfare and in defending Taiwan from China, the aircraft are equipped with torpedoes and depth charges designed to sink fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and high-performance surface vessels. [FULL STORY]
