The navy is today to announce a series of shipbuilding projects, including the construction of six to eight new “main warships” equipped with the Aegis Combat System (ACS) to replace Kidd-class destroyers.
Taiwan’s version of ACS-equipped naval vessels would displace between 6,000 tonnes and 8,000 tonnes based on previously planned ACS-equipped ships.
In related news, the first Kaohsiung International Maritime and National Defense exhibition is to be held from Sept. 14 to Sept. 17 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, with support from the Ministry of National Defense.
The Taiwan Shipbuilding Industry Association, the organizer of the exhibition, is to hold a promotional event in Taipei today for the event, at which representatives from the navy are to explain 12 shipbuilding projects, including amphibious transport docks, a troop transport ship, a submarine, a missile frigate and maritime equipment.
Association president Han Pi-hsiang (韓碧祥) said he was pleased about President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) initiative to build ships locally, which could result in annual production totaling NT$70 billion (US$2.16 billion).
He said the exhibition is aimed at creating a platform for companies with the best equipment and techniques to engage in exchanges and collaborations, while also helping potential buyers find what they need.
The association said that the event would not only cover national defense, but also machinery, maritime engineering, communications equipment and “green” energy.
The association said it has arranged for the navy to have several warships dock in Kaohsiung and accept visitors for the event.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old