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SUBMARINE SUCCESSFULLY TORPEDOES TARGET FRIGATE IN ANNUAL DRILL

ROC Central News Agency

2005-09-06 16:04:58

    Taipei, Sept. 6 (CNA) As an ROC submarine successfully torpedoed a target vessel in the sea southwest of Taiwan Tuesday, ROC Navy Commander-in-Chief Chen Pang-chih stood up and applauded the roughly 800 officers and sailors participating in this year's "Whale Hunting Torpedo Firing Exercise."

    Chen said that owing to quite a number of variables at the scene, it was not easy to hit the target from a submarine as even sophisticated weapons are difficult to maneuver.

    The fifth "Whale Hunting" torpedo ever fired by the ROC Navy hit the central part of the target ship, which was not carrying any fuel or explosives, rupturing the hull and sinking it.

    The whole process was broadcast live by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, a research body run by the Ministry of National Defense.

    The ROC Navy Fleet Headquarters said the exercise was aimed at testing the submariners' abilities, the commanders' tactical skills with torpedoes and the efficacy of the weapons.

    Two submarines took part in the demonstration, but only one of them fired at the target ship.

    During a recent joint air force and navy nighttime exercise, dubbed "Han Kuang No. 21, " submarines also succeeded in firing torpedoes that passed a fleet of ships before hitting their targets 5,000 meters away.

    Chen said Tuesday's exercise was not a military public relations activity to convince lawmakers of the importance of buying more submarines for the country. A special budget bill for a major arms purchase from the United States is still languishing in the legislature.

    However, Chen used the opportunity to stress that submarines are a very effective deterrent, adding that Taiwan also needs anti-submarine aircraft to ensure the safety of its shipping routes as the enemy has improved silent running technology on its submarines.

    Naval headquarters said China's submarines far outnumber those of Taiwan, posing a threat to sea traffic around the island. If the navy can acquire eight more submarines, as proposed by the government in its U.S. procurement package, the navy will be able to increase the risks and uncertainty for the Chinese navy.

    Moreover, when the ROC Navy is capable of deterring China's naval actions, the business sector will be reassured of the country's investment environment, the navy added.

(BY S.C. Chang)

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