Fighter upgrade process will not weaken Taiwan's air defense: MND
ROC Central News Agency
2011/09/28 16:25:09
By Elaine Hou
Taipei, Sept. 28 (CNA) The country's air defense capabilities will not suffer as its U.S.-made F-16A/B fleet and locally produced IDF fighters are upgraded in coming years, officials said Wednesday when questioned about the possibility.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has plans in place to head off a potential weakening of air defense capabilities as fighter jets are taken out of service to be overhauled, Air Force General Chang Huey-zon said during a legislative session.
A project to retrofit Taiwan's 145 F-16A/Bs with advanced equipment -- approved by the United States last week -- will not begin until a three-year program to upgrade 71 IDF jets at an Air Force base in Tainan base is completed in 2012, Chang said.
The upgrades to F-16A/Bs will be conducted on a gradual basis, with some 24 jet fighters to be overhauled annually, and the project is set to be completed in 2023, according to the MND.
"The decision was made to ensure a balanced military capability," Chang said.
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to continue strengthening Taiwan's air defenses and modernizing its military aircraft, a program to upgrade another 56 IDF jets is set to be carried out between 2013 and 2016, he said.
Echoing Chang, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu reiterated Taiwan's commitment to maintaining sufficient defensive capabilities in the face of an increasing military threat from China.
"Besides making foreign arms purchases, we have to continue our efforts to advance military manufacturing technology," Kao said.
Kao believed that showing resolve to maintain self-defense capabilities could push the U.S. to further help safeguard Taiwan's security by selling it more advanced weapons and military equipment.
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