Latest news with #TaiwanDefense
Malay Mail
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Taiwan begins sea trials of first locally built submarine amid tensions with China
TAIPEI, June 18 — Taiwan has started sea trials of its first domestically built submarine, as it upgrades its military capabilities to defend against a potential Chinese attack. The vessel is part of a submarine programme launched in 2016 that aims to deliver a fleet of eight vessels. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex the self-ruled island, which insists it is a sovereign nation and not subordinate to Beijing. Shipbuilder CSBC Corp said Tuesday that sea trials of the submarine began in the southern port of Kaohsiung on Saturday, nearly two years after the vessel was unveiled. The submarine successfully wrapped up the trial—the first of three stages—on Tuesday with a 'floating navigation test', the company said in a statement. 'CSBC Corporation will continue, based on the test results, to adjust and improve each system, and proceed to the next phase of submerged navigation tests,' the company said. The submarine measures 80 metres (262 feet) in length, has a displacement weight of about 2,500 to 3,000 tons, and boasts combat systems and torpedoes sourced from the US defence company Lockheed Martin. The aim is to finish sea trials by September 30 and deliver the submarine by the end of November, the Navy said last month. But the submarine programme has faced obstacles. The main opposition Kuomintang party and the Taiwan People's Party, which together control the parliament, froze part of the programme's budget earlier this year. The parties said they wanted to see the results of the submarine's sea trials before releasing the funds. Taiwan, which would be massively outgunned by China in a war, is trying to boost its ability to wage 'asymmetric warfare' involving more agile equipment like submarines and drones. But there are concerns that opposition efforts to cut military spending could hurt the island's ability to strengthen its firepower. Taiwan's navy currently has two working submarines, Swordfish-class vessels bought from the Netherlands in the 1980s. Over the same period, China has built itself one of the world's largest navies, with nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. — AFP
Al Arabiya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Taiwan starts sea tests of first domestically built submarine
Taiwan has started sea trials of its first domestically built submarine, as it upgrades its military capabilities to defend against a potential Chinese attack. The vessel is part of a submarine program launched in 2016 that aims to deliver a fleet of eight vessels. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex the self-ruled island, which insists it is a sovereign nation and not subordinate to Beijing. Shipbuilder CSBC Corp said Tuesday that sea trials of the submarine began in the southern port of Kaohsiung on Saturday, nearly two years after the vessel was unveiled. The submarine successfully wrapped up the trial — the first of three stages — on Tuesday with a 'floating navigation test,' the company said in a statement. 'CSBC Corporation will continue, based on the test results, to adjust and improve each system, and proceed to the next phase of submerged navigation tests,' the company said. The submarine measures 80 metres (262 feet) in length, has a displacement weight of about 2,500 to 3,000 tons, and boasts combat systems and torpedoes sourced from the US defense company Lockheed Martin. The aim is to finish sea trials by September 30 and deliver the submarine by the end of November, the Navy said last month. But the submarine program has faced obstacles. The main opposition Kuomintang party and the Taiwan People's Party, which together control the parliament, froze part of the program's budget earlier this year. The parties said they wanted to see the results of the submarine's sea trials before releasing the funds. Taiwan, which would be massively outgunned by China in a war, is trying to boost its ability to wage 'asymmetric warfare' involving more agile equipment like submarines and drones. But there are concerns that opposition efforts to cut military spending could hurt the island's ability to strengthen its firepower. Taiwan's navy currently has two working submarines, Swordfish-class vessels bought from the Netherlands in the 1980s. Over the same period, China has built itself one of the world's largest navies, with nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.
Bloomberg
17-06-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
Taiwan Targets Blood-Bag Production as China Steps Up Pressure
Taiwan aims to start producing its own blood bags — a key item for saving lives on the battlefield — adding to signs President Lai Ching-te is stepping up preparations for a potential conflict with China. The Health Ministry has been working closely with other government agencies, including the National Security Council, to enhance Taiwan's medical preparedness for emergencies, Deputy Health Minister Lin Ching-yi told Bloomberg News. Strengthening domestic production capacity for key medical supplies, including blood bags, is a part of the strategy, she said, as was ensuring that imports of medical supplies were secure.
Arab News
11-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific show country's ‘expansionist' aims, Taiwan says
TAIPEI: The two Chinese aircraft carriers spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time send a political message about the country's 'expansionist' aims, Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday. Japan's defense minister said the previous day that the appearance of the Chinese aircraft carriers signified Beijing's intention to further widen its capabilities beyond its borders. Koo said the armed forces had a 'full grasp' of the carriers' movements. 'Crossing from the first island chain into the second island chain sends a definite political message and their expansionist nature can be seen,' he told reporters in Taipei. The first island chain refers to an area that runs from Japan down to Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo, while the second island chain spreads further out into the Pacific to include places like the US territory of Guam. China's navy, which has been honing its abilities to operate farther and farther from the country's coast, said on Tuesday the carrier operations were a 'routine training' exercise that did not target specific countries or regions. China operates two carriers, with a third undergoing sea trials. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, keeps a close watch on Chinese military movements given the regular drills and war games Beijing stages around the island, and has been modernizing its weapons to better face the People's Liberation Army. Taiwan Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan, speaking to lawmakers later on Wednesday, said a dozen or so of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16V fighter jets ordered from the United States should arrive this year, with the rest in 2026. 'The US side was optimistic about next year's scheduled delivery at last month's meeting on the project, and was very optimistic about the delivery of more than 10 aircraft this year,' he said. Taiwan has complained about delivery delays for the jets, which have advanced avionics, weapons and radar systems to better face down the Chinese air force, including its J-20 stealth fighter. Since May, China has been flexing its muscles by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels through a swathe of East Asian waters, according to security documents and officials, in moves that have unnerved regional capitals. Japan's defense ministry confirmed the two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were operating in separate areas of the Pacific on Saturday, both near remote southern islands belonging to Japan. Earlier, Japan said the Liaoning sailed within its exclusive economic zone near Minamitorishima, a remote island east of Iwo Jima.
Asharq Al-Awsat
11-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Chinese Aircraft Carriers in Pacific Show Country's 'Expansionist' Aims, Taiwan Says
The two Chinese aircraft carriers spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time send a political message about the country's "expansionist" aims, Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday. Japan's defense minister said the previous day that the appearance of the Chinese aircraft carriers signified Beijing's intention to further widen its capabilities beyond its borders. Koo said the armed forces had a "full grasp" of the carriers' movements. "Crossing from the first island chain into the second island chain sends a definite political message and their expansionist nature can be seen," he told reporters in Taipei. The first island chain refers to an area that runs from Japan down to Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo, while the second island chain spreads further out into the Pacific to include places like the US territory of Guam. China's navy, which has been honing its abilities to operate farther and farther from the country's coast, said on Tuesday the carrier operations were a "routine training" exercise that did not target specific countries or regions. China operates two carriers, with a third undergoing sea trials. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, keeps a close watch on Chinese military movements given the regular drills and war games Beijing stages around the island, and has been modernizing its weapons to better face the People's Liberation Army. Taiwan Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan, speaking to lawmakers later on Wednesday, said a dozen or so of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16V fighter jets ordered from the United States should arrive this year, with the rest in 2026. "The US side was optimistic about next year's scheduled delivery at last month's meeting on the project, and was very optimistic about the delivery of more than 10 aircraft this year," he said. Taiwan has complained about delivery delays for the jets, which have advanced avionics, weapons and radar systems to better face down the Chinese air force, including its J-20 stealth fighter. Since May, China has been flexing its muscles by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels through a swathe of East Asian waters, according to security documents and officials, in moves that have unnerved regional capitals. Japan's defense ministry confirmed the two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were operating in separate areas of the Pacific on Saturday, both near remote southern islands belonging to Japan. Earlier, Japan said the Liaoning sailed within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Minamitorishima, a remote island east of Iwo Jima.
