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AIDC assures no defense secrets for foreign hires
Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. in Taiwan plans to hire foreign workers but assures no access to defense secrets. The evaluation is ongoing, with national security a priority.
2024/10/24 12:33
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Report: US trains for Taiwan defense amid China tensions
Discover how Seal Team 6 is preparing for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, with over a year of secret training in Virginia, as reported by the Financial Times. Learn about the U.S. military’s strategic planning amidst tensions.
2024/09/12 14:22
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Taiwan’s defense minister addresses temple ammo storage plan
Minister Koo Li-Hsiung addresses the use of temple spaces for ammunition storage, adherence to laws during the Han Kuang Exercise, and the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit.
2024/07/10 16:43
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US builds floating pier in Gaza, eyes Taiwan Strait strategy
The U.S. military’s floating pier in Gaza could have implications for Taiwan Strait conflict scenarios, as analyzed by The Daily Telegraph. Taiwan’s military responds to Chinese Communist Party aircraft with Joint Civil Military Air-Raid Exercise and plans to expand political warfare units in the navy. The Tien-Kung III missile, developed domestically, strengthens defense capabilities against aerial threats. New missile sites and integrated defense operations demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment to enhancing combat effectiveness.
2024/03/27 10:08
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Taiwan to launch 320 civilian emergency response teams
The Executive Yuan unveils plans for the Taiwan Community Emergency Response Team (T-CERT) in a recent policy report, aiming to establish 320 teams with 8,000 members within five years. Training will involve various sectors, drawing parallels to the civilian defense concept of the Kuma Academy. Despite opposition from Kuomintang legislators, the initiative focuses on disaster response, not military operations, in line with Taiwan’s Disaster Prevention and Protection Act. The teams, inspired by FEMA recommendations, are supported by the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of National Defense.
2024/02/20 16:37
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Two rescuers overboard in Taiwan submarine incident
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirms that two rescuers have fallen overboard while assisting a Hai Hu submarine incident. One is still missing, while the other has been rescued by a navy vessel. The incident occurred when the wooden cover of the rear rescue buoy fell off, causing unusual noise and pulling the connected steel cable. Initially, four people were sent to retrieve the items, but the narrow track caused them to be swept off by surge waves. Three people fell overboard, with two still missing. The weapon’s chief also fell into the sea but was later rescued. A total of six rescuers have been dispatched, with 11 people involved in the mission. The three rescued and four injured have been treated at Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital. Search and rescue operations continue beyond the 72-hour golden rescue period, with the search area expanding based on ocean currents. The Chief of Naval Staff emphasizes that they will not abandon the search and that all soldiers are like family.
2023/12/26 15:23
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Defense Ministry to boost security ahead of Taiwan elections
The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan is preparing for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13, 2024, by upgrading its security readiness for 40 hours. This will take place from 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 until 8 a.m. on Jan. 14. Around 5,000 military personnel may not be able to cast their votes, similar to the 2020 general elections. However, the number of naval and air force personnel, 24-hour on-call missile units, and air force operations management on standby is expected to exceed that of 2020. The ministry has ordered its forces to compile rosters for Election Day and implement rotation measures for combat readiness to ensure the voting rights of military personnel. Due to tense military situations caused by periodic crossings of the median line of the strait by People’s Liberation Army vessels and aircraft since August last year, there may be more naval and air force personnel on standby compared to the 2020 presidential election. Typically, soldiers stationed far from their registered residences vote in the morning and then return to their camps before noon to switch with standby soldiers who then go out to vote.
2023/12/25 17:43
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Biden signs defense act to boost Taiwan’s self-defense
U.S. President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY2024 NDAA), which includes a comprehensive training program for Taiwan’s military. The program aims to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and will be overseen by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The legislation, which has received approval from both houses of the U.S. Congress, allocates a total of US$886 billion for this purpose. The training program will focus on layered defense, asymmetric defense strategies, cross-communication between the U.S. and Taiwan’s military, information sharing, and the improvement of professional military education and civilian control over the military. Additionally, the act emphasizes collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan on military cyber security and requires regular updates on Taiwan arm sales proceedings. It also mandates the Secretary of Defense to submit biannual reports to Congress on the military developments of the People’s Republic of China, particularly in areas such as Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the South China Sea, covering topics such as weapon upgrades, procurement, and military operations.
2023/12/23 12:34
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Taiwan’s MND touts success of drug-sniffing dog teams
The Ministry of National Defense in Taipei showcased its drug prevention program’s accomplishments, emphasizing the effectiveness of its narcotics detection dog teams. Since December last year, 18 additional dogs have been added to these teams, allowing regions across Taiwan to request their services for drug-sniffing operations within military camps. According to government regulations, these service dogs typically serve for four years, with the possibility of an extension to seven years. Since 2020, three narcotics-detection canines have completed their service term, with replacements already trained and deployed. The defense ministry conducted 467 drug-sniffing missions within military bases this year through mobilization, camp applications, and operational zone assignments. Additionally, over 1.13 million urine screenings have been conducted among military personnel, with positive results leading to prosecutions and the removal of implicated individuals from service.
2023/12/20 17:18
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Taiwan defense stocks surge ahead of presidential election
Taipei’s military, national defense, and aerospace stocks experienced notable performances in early trading as Taiwan’s presidential election approaches. AirAsia, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), and Thunder Tiger stood out, attracting investor attention. With the United States reporting a slowdown in inflation growth, the market anticipates a lower probability of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve (Fed). AirAsia reported a net zero profit for the first ten months of the year, with optimism in the commercial maintenance market. AIDC exceeded last year’s total revenue in the first ten months, aiming for its highest annual profit since listing. AIDC Chairman Hu Kai-hung is working towards enhancing Taiwan’s aerospace industry through the A-Team 4.0 alliance. Thunder Tiger is planning collaborations with domestic electric vehicle supply chains and aiming to introduce innovative solutions in the defense sector.
2023/12/12 19:13
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Chiu Kuo-cheng downplays U.S. arms sale concerns
Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, has announced that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is preparing to strengthen its military in order to prevent war. This comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during his meeting with President Joe Biden. Chiu stated that Taiwanese military officers will continue to visit and learn from their U.S. counterparts, regardless of the circumstances. He downplayed concerns about the sale of ammunition, emphasizing that Taiwan is not intentionally arming itself but rather engaging in normal operations. Despite Xi’s denial of plans for military action against Taiwan in 2027 or 2035, Chiu emphasized that the Taiwanese military will not set a target year solely based on Xi’s statements. The MND will maintain a vigilant stance and be prepared for any situation without anticipating military conflicts in specific years.
2023/11/20 18:36
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Legislature urges military to integrate firearms in drills
Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang exercises, the country’s largest war games since 1984, aim to ensure combat readiness in the event of a Chinese invasion. Recent exercises have led the military to speculate that the northern areas of Taiwan could be a targeted point for a Chinese attack. The Tamsui River is analyzed as a potential point of entry for the People’s Liberation Army, as it provides access to critical regions like Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and Taipei. Public officials have demanded live-fire drills at the river mouth to inspect defense capabilities. However, conducting such drills poses challenges due to the densely populated area and existing operations of a nearby port. The use of explosives in the river could leave sediments that are difficult to track. Defense strategies require a comprehensive understanding of their effects, and alternative strategies are being considered to bolster defense in northern Taiwan.
2023/11/13 12:49
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Sky Dragon military drills show joint operational skills
Taiwan’s annual Air Force Tien Lung military drills, also known as "Sky Dragon," have commenced and will run from October 30 to November 3. The exercise involves key fighter aircraft such as the F-16V, Mirage 2000, and IDF, collaborating with other units to evaluate joint operational effectiveness. The drills encompass various airborne force-on-force scenarios, including air-to-air, air-to-sea, and air-to-ground warfare competitions. In addition, the exercise involves the participation of Air Force infantry and special forces units, engaging in activities like small arms firing, ammunition loading, and mobile defense operations. Outstanding pilots, including champions in air combat, target shooting, and bombardment, will be selected by the Air Force. This significant military exercise follows the "Chang Ching17 Exercise" conducted by the army from October 23 to 27, marking its first occurrence in six years.
2023/10/30 16:36