TAIPEI (The China Post) — President Tsai Ing-wen has called on a key defense technology institute on Jan. 25 to lay a solid foundation for Taiwan’s defense industry in the coming 50 years and expedite mass production of two models of sophisticated missiles.
“The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST) must accelerate mass production of the ATBM (Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile) and the Hsiung Feng III Anti-Ship Missile,” Tsai said Friday in a speech after being briefed by NCSIST personnel on the missile program.
NCSIST is celebrating its 50th founding anniversary this year.
Praising the two missiles developed by NCSIST as the “pride of Taiwan,” Tsai asked NCSIST Chairman Yen De-fa and Vice Defense Minister Chang Kuan-chun to develop a plan that will pave the way for the sound development of the local defense industry over the next 50 years.
To serve that end, three goals must be achieved, Tsai said. Apart from speeding up mass production of the two missiles, she said, the NCSIST must focus on building a talent pool to replenish its manpower and step up partnerships between academia, industry and government at home and abroad.
Only by doing so can the NCSIST reach its objectives and help upgrade and strengthen Taiwan’s defense industry to a level similar to that of other democratic countries such as the United States, she said.
