the article is ridiculous, more propaganda than reality. we (Vietnam) have no plan to start a war in the south china sea, least against Taiwan. if anyone, it is commie China, that wants to see blood in the sea.
- Staff Reporter
- 2014-10-02
- 12:39 (GMT+8)
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Concept art of Taiwan's future dock at Taiping (Photo courtest of Lin Yu-fang's office)
Taiwan is considering deploying the obsolete US-built RIM-72C Sea Chaparral to Taiping Island, the largest of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Lieutenant General Kao Tien-chung, deputy defense minister, told ruling Kuomintang legislator Lin Yu-fang on Oct. 1, according to our sister newspaper Want Daily.
After the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology modified the Sky Sword II air-to-air missile originally designed for Taiwan's F-CK-1 Ching-kuo fighter into a new version to be launched from naval warships, Lin suggested all RIM-72C Sea Chaparral missiles aboard the Republic of China Navy's six La Fayette-class frigates should be replaced. Lin then said that the defense ministry should then consider deploying missiles to Taiping.
Taiping, also called Itu Aba, is the largest island currently under the administration of Taiwan in the South China Sea. Although Taiwan was not part of the standoff between China and the Philippines over Scarborough Shoal in April 2012 or that between China and Vietnam over a Chinese oil rig deployed near the Paracel Islands in May, Lin suggested Taipei take a tougher stance in defending its territory in the South China Sea. He said that Taipei should not think of the territorial dispute in the South China Sea in the same way as the dispute over the Diaoyutai (Senkaku or Diaoyu) islands in the East China Sea since Taiping is under Taiwan's control.
Other legislators joined Lin to demand the government solidify the defense of Taiping. The island is currently manned by the ROC Coast Guard. This is not enough to defend it from a potential attack from Vietnam however, therefore the defense ministry should deploy more air defense missiles and weapons for anti-amphibious operations to the island, Lin said. At the same time, he suggested the government expand the naval port, airfield and other military facilities on the island.
Without aerial refueling aircraft, the Republic of China Air Force is unable to provide sufficient air support to the Taiping garrison. Vietnam said that it is capable of paralyzing the defense of the island in just 20 minutes. After that, it would take no more than an hour for the Vietnamese military to take control of the island.
Taiwan to deploy obsolete air defense missile to Taiping|Politics|News|WantChinaTimes.com