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ROC'S SECOND-GENERATION WARPLANE FLEET IN PLACE: OFFICIAL

Aug 06, 2002 12:24 UTC+0800

Taipei, Aug. 6 (CNA) The backbone of the Republic of China's second generation jetfighter fleet has already been put in place, greatly enhancing the nation's combat readiness, an ROC Air Force General Headquarters official said Tuesday.

Peng Chin-ming, deputy chief of staff of operations, said in a routine press conference Tuesday that the various types of new fighters that Taiwan has taken delivery of or has itself built over the past several years have all been put into service and are combat ready.

Peng noted that Taiwan's U.S.-built F-16A/B fighters were put into service in January 2002, while the Mirage 2000-5 jet fighters were put into service in May 2001.

The Mirage fighter, along with Taiwan's 130 locally-built indigenous defense fighters (IDFs) and 150 U.S.-made F-16 jet fighters, form the backbone of the nation's second generation warplane fleet.

Peng said that the ROC Air Force will be guided by the principles of no provocation and no show of weakness in dealing with any military emergencies.

Noting that mainland China has not renounced the option of the use of force against Taiwan and has deployed missiles along the coast opposite Taiwan, Peng said the ROC Air Force will continue to remain on guard as well as step up combat preparedness to ensure security in Taiwan Strait.

(By Lilian Wu)