Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Meet the New Military-Industrial Complex in Taiwan

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI - Taiwan set out nearly 50 years ago to grow its own defense
   industry because the island's leaders never know how many arms they can
   get from abroad. Taiwan seeks a strong defense to deter China, an old
   military adversary with the world's third strongest armed forces.

   That industry is growing steadily now in line with goals established by
   the ruling party in 2014 and contributing to an economy long dependent
   on tech but facing pressure to diversify.

   "Over the past few years President Tsai Ing-wen has been promoting a
   self-defense industry policy and that's a good thing," said Michael
   Tsai, chairman of the Institute for Taiwan Defense and Strategic
   Studies in Taiwan.

   2020 goal

   The party's defense committee suggested in 2014 that to "revitalize"
   Taiwan's defense industry expenditures to domestic weapons production
   should reach at least 60% of military investments by 2020.

   The party said a year later its defense industry policy would
   eventually generate revenue of at least $8.17 billion and create 8,000
   new jobs.

   Party representatives reached Monday were unable to say whether these
   goals were on track, and for security reasons the Ministry of National
   Defense does not disclose current or past revenues from the
   self-defense sector.

   But a ministry spokesman pointed Monday to recent breakthroughs, such
   as a fighter jet trainer prototype unveiled last month and
   groundbreaking in May for Taiwan's first homegrown submarine.

   The $2.2 billion jet project has created 1,200 jobs, officials said
   last month. The submarine, to be built by CSBC Corp. in Taiwan for a
   target operation date in 2025, is expected to cost $15.9 billion.

.