F-16 JET FIGHTERS' COMBAT CAPABILITY UNDER QUESTION
ROC Central News Agency
2005-10-28 22:42:42
Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) The combat capability of the Republic of China Air Force's F-16 jet fighters came under question Friday after it was revealed that two F-16s sent to sink an overturned cargo ship carrying a load of toxic chemicals off Hsinchu Thursday fired four laser-guided missiles but failed to accomplish their mission.
Asked how he felt about the performance of the planes' pilots at a question and answer session of the legislature, Minister of National Defense Li Jye said he felt bad and was "embarrassed."
Li said the two fighters fired four missiles, each weighing about 2,000 pounds, but scored only one hit.
He said that theoretically, a bomb of such caliber could blow a hole in a ship the size of a basketball court. However, he admitted that the hit failed to sink the ship, which carried a harmful chemical and posed a hazard to fishing boats operating in nearby waters.
The defense minister said military authorities will conduct a review of the failed mission and decide who should be held responsible.
The 3,561-ton South Korean cargo ship Samho Brother capsized Oct. 10 after a collision with the 13,629-ton TS Hongkong registered in Liberia. All 14 crewmembers were rescued.
In addition to 3,140 cubic meters of benzene, the Samho Brother was carrying 85 tons of fuel oil and 16 tons of diesel.
(By Han Nai-kuo)
ENDITEM/LE
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
