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MND head stands by IDS program amid leadership strain
Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, supports Huang Shu-kuang amidst his resignation due to exhaustion, emphasizing the collective effort of the Indigenous Defense Submarine program and denying rumors of its disbandment or leadership changes involving Wellington Koo.2024/04/17 13:17 -
Lai Ching-te to fast-track submarine fleet expansion
President-elect Lai Ching-te shows strong support for Taiwan’s Indigenous Defence Submarine program, aiming to build all seven follow-up submarines simultaneously. Joining him on an inspection of the prototype submarine Narwhal at CSBC Corporation’s Hai Chang factory was current President Tsai Ing-wen. The transition of power between Tsai and Lai is set for May 20, with Lai emphasizing the need to complete the submarine project swiftly. The projected cost for each follow-up submarine is around NT$20 billion, with a total budget estimated between NT$150 billion and NT$200 billion.2024/03/18 14:26 -
President highlights debt repayment, defense spending
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen addressed criticism about her government’s spending and accusations of burdening future generations with debt. She claimed to be the best debt-repaying president and announced that her administration had repaid over NT$800 billion of debt. Tsai highlighted the increases in national spending under her leadership, including a significant hike in the national defense budget to NT$600 billion and a raise in the budget for elderly care from NT$5 billion to NT$80 billion. She also mentioned the expansion of the national child-rearing policy and the progress of the indigenous defense aircraft program. Tsai viewed the construction of a prototype submarine as a milestone that strengthens the island’s defensive capabilities.2023/12/15 16:40