Taiwan is to buy 400 Harpoon Block II missiles and 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems in one batch by 2028, not separately as originally intended, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) said yesterday.
Chiu made the statement in response to media queries before attending a session at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, adding that the decision was made in light of the rising threat from China, along with other considerations.
The Block II anti-ship missiles would supplement the capabilities of other missiles in service, he said.
Washington in October last year approved a possible sale to Taiwan of up to 100 Harpoon
Internal flight tests of jet trainers complete: AIDC
Staff writer, with CNA
The nation’s first indigenous advanced jet trainer has completed internal flight tests and is soon to enter operational testing, Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) said yesterday.
The operational testing phase would be conducted with help from the air force to ensure that the new AT-5 meets the military’s needs, the Taichung-based firm said.
Two prototype trainers were used in the flight tests, which were conducted earlier in the day at the Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung, it said.
Aerospace Industrial Development Corp chairman Hu Kai-hung, center, poses with pilots after joining them in test flights of two new indigenous Yung Ying (“Brave Eagle”) advanced jet trainers in Taichung yesterday.