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Taipei, Aug. 31 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday submitted a budget proposal of NT$471.7 billion (US$17.05 billion) to the Legislature for arms purchases and other defense needs, including jet fighter precision guided missiles and long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The budget proposal, which has to be reviewed and passed by the Legislature, allocates NT$21.70 billion to the country's Air Force, for fiscal years 2022-2025, for the purchase of four MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAVs that will boost its day-night surveillance capability.
The MQ-9B has long-range surveillance endurance and can be deployed to counter enemy maneuvers, thus strengthening the military's defense capabilities, according to the proposal.
The Air Force will also seek to acquire an array of precision missiles for its current fleet of F-16 jet fighters, including AGM-84 harpoons that can be mounted on fixed-wing aircraft, AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles, and AGM-154 joint standoff weapons, according to the MND's proposal.
The Navy, meanwhile, will be allocated NT$43.15 billion to upgrade the combat capabilities of its six Kang Ding-class frigates with the Sea Sword II air-defense missile, which was developed by Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), according to the budget proposal.
The Sea Sword II, a ship-launched version of the NCSIST's Tien Chien II air-to-air missile, is an active radar-guided mid-range air defense missile that can engage anti-ship missiles and threats from aircraft simultaneously, according to the institute's website.
The Sea Sword II will replace the Sea Chaparral missile, which has been in service on Taiwan frigates for about 20 years, and that upgrade has been budgeted for the period 2022-2030, according to the Navy.
Other defense hardware listed in the budget includes the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and M109A6 "Paladin" self-propelled howitzers.
The defense budget proposal has been drafted in accordance with the needs of the military and is vital to safeguarding national security, MND spokesman Shih Shun-wen (史順文) said at virtual press conference Tuesday.
That same day, the defense ministry also presented its annual report to the Legislature on the People's Liberation Army of China.
In the report, the MND said the PLA is a growing threat, given its capabilities in the areas of cyber and electronic warfare and communication jamming.
The PLA's ability to paralyze Taiwan's air defense, sea control, and counter-warfare systems poses a huge threat to the country's military, the MND said.
Furthermore, China's combat effectiveness has already extended beyond the first island chain, and besides its Shandong and Liaoning aircraft carriers that are currently in operation, its will have a "Type 003" aircraft carrier in service by 2025, the ministry said.
This will greatly enhance the PLA's anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) weapon system capabilities, to prevent an adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land, sea or air, the MND said.
Taiwan's defense ministry submits NT$471.7 billion budget proposal for 2022 - Focus Taiwan
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday submitted a budget proposal of NT$471.7 billion (US$17.05 billion) to the Legislature for arms purchases and other defense needs, including jet fighter precision guided missiles and long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
