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Taiwan
ChinaMilitary

Taiwan’s air force seeks record US$1 billion for equipment maintenance

  • The proposed maintenance budget is nearly double the amount allocated in 2016, when Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen took office
  • Observers say the sharp increase is a response to the PLA’s attempts to intimidate the island with fly-bys and warships

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Taiwan’s air force has scrambled jets and deployed missiles in response to the PLA’s increased military activity around the island in recent months. Photo: AFP
Lawrence Chung
Taiwan’s air force is seeking a record NT$36.8 billion (US$1.16 billion) for equipment maintenance and installation next year, according to a proposed budget sent to the island’s legislature.
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The figure represents an increase of 26 per cent from the NT$29.2 billion approved for this year and is nearly double the amount allocated in 2016, when Tsai Ing-wen was first elected president of the island, according to the proposal revealed on Monday by a legislative source.
Observers said the sharp increase was in response to fly-bys by People’s Liberation Army (PLA) warplanes and their repeated crossing of the median line that separates the self-ruled island and mainland China.

Taiwan’s air force has asked for NT$17.6 billion for equipment and facility maintenance fees and NT$19.2 billion for maintenance and installations, which includes purchases of components and spare parts for its fighter jets, trainers, transport planes, anti-submarine aircraft, helicopters and related ground facilities, according to the proposal.

The source said the maintenance and installation fees were part of the NT$133.7 billion for overall military maintenance spending proposed by the island’s defence ministry and approved by its cabinet in late August.

“All spending still needs the approval of the legislature,” the source said, adding lawmakers were expected to make some cuts before passing the budget between January and February next year.

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The source said the increased spending for maintenance costs was mainly a result of the PLA’s frequent attempts at intimidation in recent years, especially over the past several months, when it sent multiple sorties close to Taiwan, forcing the island’s air force to scramble jets and deploy missiles to warn them off.
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