
Taiwan on Friday commissioned new navy minelayers to add to its defenses against China. The commissioning ceremony for the First and Second Mining Operations Squadrons of Taiwan’s Navy was presided over by President Tsai Ing-wen. It will operate ships able to automatically sow large numbers of small but powerful mines at high speed without the need for divers.
This technology is being used by Taiwan to deter China from invading Taiwan with the vast number of soldiers, warplanes, ships, and other weapons the country possesses. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, and it is trying by all possible means of threat to take control of the island. China has been conducting frequent military exercises and dispatching its warplanes into Taiwan.
The initial orders of four ships manufactured by Lungteh Shipbuilding is part of a drive by Tsai to revitalize the domestic arms industry and reduce Taiwan’s dependence on chief ally the US for defensive weapons. The automatic mine laying system was developed by Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology of Taiwan.