Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen underscored the need to strengthen the nation's rescue and defense capabilities with modern technology, highlighting that its strength is essential for world peace.
President Tsai pledged to enforce maritime and border security measures after visiting an anti-terror practice in Kaohsiung City.
Taiwan's head of state said, "The safer Taiwan is, the safer the world is," as per The Military Times.
Tsai's remarks came amid increasing military threats from China, which views Taiwan as a renegade colony that may be taken back by force.
In view of a possible confrontation with China, Taiwan's defense minister, Chiu Kuo-Cheng, emphasized last month that all military forces must be battle ready. The official noted that Taiwan has to be prepared on all fronts since there would be "no front or rear" in an invasion, according to The Defense Post.
586th #Armored Brigade was recently graded on a Joint LFX with Army Aviation and Field Artillery’s fire support. They were able to target and destroy designated objectives with deadly accuracy, showing their determination and capacity to defend the nation.🇹🇼 pic.twitter.com/P7gmCVqTtY
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) June 7, 2023
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The Chinese government's growing expenditures on cutting-edge weapons, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned platforms, have Taiwanese authorities on high alert. Following the Patriot air defense system's success against Russian missiles, Taipei has considered buying it.
In March, the US approved a $619 million weapons deal with Taiwan, including missiles for its F-16 aircraft. This decision was taken due to substantial Chinese air force intrusions near the island, per Reuters.
The granted stockpile includes 200 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) meant to take down aircraft and 100 AGM-88B HARM missiles meant to take out land-based radar installations.
The Taiwanese defense ministry said these purchases would boost defense stocks and effectively protect airspace from Chinese military threats.
Taiwan Must Safeguard Its Weapons
Meanwhile, a defense specialist proposed hiding Taiwan's military equipment to prevent it from being destroyed.
The Institute for National Policy Research's Chen Wen-Jia said technology and weaponry should only be used in the event of a war. Taiwan's military resources are exposed before they may be used because precision missile assaults from China are likely.
Chen advised concealing valuables in crucial places, including mountains, bridges, culverts, and underground infrastructure. He suggested that the air force might use hangars built into eastern Taiwan's mountains to safeguard fighter planes, while the Taiwanese Navy could use civilian ships for munitions storage.
Another proposal is to dispatch Taiwanese planes to the nearby Philippines for security.
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