“As a maritime nation, we need to invest resources in patrolling and defending coastal borders. Ensuring the safety of those who work at sea and the security of their property is vital to our development,” the president said during the ceremony for the Cabinet-level Coast Guard Administration’s new boats. “The CGA shoulders the responsibility of protecting our fishermen and safeguarding our maritime rights and should be given more support.”
According to the CGA, the domestically designed and built Pingtung and Taitung are armed with 40-millimeter guns and water cannons with a maximum range of 120 meters. Tsai stressed that, rather than a show of force, the Taiwan-made vessels represent the nation’s efforts to fulfill its responsibilities to the international community.
The addition of the Pingtung and Taitung increases the number of vessels in the CGA’s fleet to 156, 24 of which are 500 tons or more. The two cutters were designed to conduct coastal patrols and rescue missions, and can also be utilized to crack down on smugglers, according to the agency.
The two newly commissioned vessels will be grouped with CGA units in eastern and southern Taiwan, respectively, to expand the agency’s patrol capabilities in the South and East China seas.
The cutters are exemplary of the Tsai administration’s plan to strengthen the domestic defense industry in areas such as indigenous warship and submarine manufacturing. In line with this commitment, the navy will spend NT$470 billion (US$14.84 billion) between 2018 and 2040 on 12 shipbuilding projects, according to the Ministry of National Defense. (KH-E)
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