Taiwan rumored to prepare for ground-to-ground missile tests

Taiwan News ^ | 3/27/2010 | Taiwan News, Staff Writer

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

It was right for Taiwan’s military to be moving toward the development of a mid-range ground-to-ground missile, Vice Defense Minister Andrew Yang said Monday, though he failed to confirm reports of tests. Ruling Kuomintang lawmaker Ting Shou-chung asked Yang at the Legislative Yuan whether he had visited the United States to explain planned tests in June at the Chiupeng military base in Pingtung County.

Yang denied he had traveled to the U.S. and failed to give a direct answer to the question about the missile test, only saying it was right for the military to be thinking about developing the weapons.

Ting said reports about plans to develop ground-to-ground missiles with a range of 1,200 kilometers and cruise missiles with a range of 800 kilometers had attracted concern from overseas that Taiwan might be violating international ballistic missile limitation treaties.

Because of Yang’s alleged trip, Washington had not only revised its opposition but was now even proposing to supply parts for the missiles, Ting said.

Yang replied the reports were too “dramatized” and the content and aims were wrong, though he emphasized Taiwan’s defense policy could be described as “peace through strength.”

The vice minister said there was always a possibility of international pressure but Taiwan would do its best to maintain its deterrent.

During the same question-and-answer session, Air Force Chief of Staff Ger Hsi-hsiung said Taiwan would be able to postpone a change of the balance of power in China’s favor by upgrading its present fighter jets.

[TokuMei]

Sure that SK navy thang was a “tragic accident”....! Suuure..!

Asia is a dangerous place, and it will become MORE so. Much to BHO’s chagrin, there IS this little “objective reality” thing.