Taiwan's army reassures public over Volcano mine-dispensing system
ROC Central News Agency
01/17/2023 08:50 PM
Taipei, Jan. 17 (CNA) Taiwan's army on Tuesday denied that its procurement of the M136 Volcano mine-dispensing system from the United States would turn Taiwan into an "island of landmines," amid concerns raised by opposition parties and civic groups over the use of landmines on the island.
The U.S. Department of State on Dec. 28, 2022 approved the sale of the M136 vehicle-launched automated mine dispensing system to Taiwan, which sparked safety concerns from opposition parties and academics in the country.
Questions were also raised about the use of landmines contravening the Ottawa Treaty aimed at eliminating anti-personnel (AP) landmines around the world.
As of August 2022, 164 countries had ratified or acceded to the Ottowa Treaty, with the notable exception of the U.S., China, India, Pakistan and Russia.
According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Military Analysis Network, the M136 mine dispenser provides soldiers with a scatterable mine capability delivered by helicopter or ground vehicle.
The Volcano dispenser contains 960 anti-tank/anti-personnel mines and is capable of laying a minefield 1,100 meters long by 120 meters wide within four to 12 minutes. In addition, the mines have a timed self-destruct capability.
Speaking at a news conference held at the Ministry of National Defense, Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Chang Yuan-hsun (章元勳) denied claims that the mine dispersing system would turn Taiwan into an island of mines.
If the Republic of China (Taiwan) military know where hostiles will be landing, it can use the system to lay landmines swiftly in certain parts of a beach rather than the entire beach, Chang said.
"If an enemy chooses to land, it will have to pay a price," he said, touting the mine-dispensing system as capable of obstructing rival troops from advancing.
According to Chang, mines placed by the Volcano system do not target personnel and therefore their use does not contravene the Ottawa Treaty.
The landmines are placed superficially across a field, instead of underground like traditional mines, making them easy to identify, he said, moreover, the mines' self-destruct capability helps to minimize accidental triggers and casualties.
The Volcano is capable of fast and mobile deployment of mines which allows placement to be made in a short period of time. "We don't need to do it now even if (the enemy) comes within six months," he said.
China's People's Liberation Army has a fleet of cutting-edge amphibious and various armored vehicles, and it has been ramping up military pressure on Taiwan, Chang said.
Taiwan has to diversify its tactics and weapons while defending itself, and laying mines is one such approach, he said.
The proposed US$180 million arms deal includes vehicle-launched Volcano anti-tank munition-laying systems and M977A4 HEMTT 10-Ton cargo trucks where the system will be mounted, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the sale is likely to be confirmed by the U.S. Congress within the next month.
(By Liu Kuan-ting and Sean Lin)
Enditem/AW
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