Taipei, Dec. 22 (CNA) Taiwan's Air Force will soon inaugurate an electronic war unit to enhance combat capability, Air Force Chief Staff Chou Wen-chung said on Wednesday,
"We will formally establish the electronic war unit next month as part of our efforts to streamline our air defense," Chou said at a legislative hearing session on Taiwan's new-generation fighters.
Chou also said that the United States is scheduled to deliver air-launched harpoon missiles to Taiwan next month, and the missiles, to be installed on Taiwan's F-16 fighters, will largely enhance the fighters' long-distance strike capability.
On the development of Taiwan's "stealth" fighters, Chou said the Air Force has contracted several institutes to conduct research on the issue and has achieved "positive results," especially in plans for the structure and coating of the proposed aircraft.
Also addressing the session, Vice Defense Minister Sun Tao-yu denied allegations that the new-generation fighters that Taiwan has purchased from foreign countries are all "outdated" and are not nearly as efficient as had been claimed.
Sun said the F-16 has been proven in previous battles as one of the most advanced warplanes, and the French-made Mirage 2000-5s are the best in free world.
Sun said the untrue allegations may have been generated by Beijing because Taiwan's newly-acquired fighter jets are better than theirs.
In addition to its 130 locally developed IDFs (Indigenous Defense Fighters), Taiwan has bought 150 F-16s and 60 Mirage 2000-5s, enabling the Air Force to retire its aging fleet of F-5Es. (By Bear Lee)
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