Tsai lauds domestic submarine, jet trainer projects
ROC Central News Agency
10/16/2023 04:10 PM
Taipei, Oct. 16 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told a group of visiting U.S. scholars on Monday that Taiwan has continued to demonstrate its determination to defend itself with the domestic development of a submarine prototype and a jet trainer.
At the Presidential Office, Tsai told the group of visitors from the Washington-based think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI) that in recent years, Taiwan's efforts to defend the country "have been manifested in greater national defense autonomy."
"For example, 20 of our domestically built 'Brave Eagle' jet trainers have already been delivered. And last month, our indigenous 'Narwhal' submarine was also launched at a ceremony," Tsai said.
"These achievements demonstrate our determination to safeguard national security," she added.
Tsai referred to the Advanced Trainer Jet (ATJ) program, also known as Brave Eagle launched in 2017.
The first prototype of the new ATJ, serial 11001/08-9001, flew for the first time in June 2020. The Industrial Development Corp., a domestic aerospace contractor, is scheduled to deliver 66 advanced trainer aircraft to Taiwan's Air Force by 2026.
Meanwhile, Tsai also unveiled the "Narwhal," the first boat developed under by the Indigenous Defense Submarine program, at a ceremony in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28.
At the time, Tsai described the event as a crucial moment in Taiwan's mission to produce domestic submarines and achieve "defense autonomy."
In the Monday morning meeting, the president underlined that her government would continue to uphold the position of "neither provoking nor acting rashly," as it will bolster cooperation with the United States and other like-minded democracies, and "serve as a force for good."
Tsai made the comments when receiving the delegation, which included AEI President Robert Doar, leader of the think tank since 2019, and Dan Blumenthal, a senior AEI fellow researching East Asian security issues and Sino-American relations.
For his part, Doar praised Tsai for her leadership in helping Taiwan "navigate what is an increasingly complicated geopolitical climate."
He also noted that the AEI has watched with horror as Hamas has "unleashed war on Israel and the Jewish people," Doar said.
"The United States and AEI stand ready to come to the aid of a close friend under attack, and we appreciate Taiwan's support for Israel under your leadership," he added.
(By Joseph Yeh)
Enditem/ASG
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