Taiwan to widen seven air force runways
A US Air Force C-17 cargo plane in Taipei. (Photo: Senator Sullivan/Wikimedia Commons)
By widening seven military runways, the East Asian island’s Ministry of National Defense has anticipated Chinese missile strikes and will increase its air force’s ability to counterstrike.
Taiwan will widen the runways at seven of its air force bases to counter the threat of Chinese ballistic missile attacks, the country’s Ministry of National Defense has confirmed.
The move would reduce runway repair time following a missile strike from four hours to two-and-half hours for one or two large craters, according to a report in Taiwan News.
Upon completion, Taiwanese fighter jets would be able to rapidly respond to Chinese attacks via counterattacks, with Taiwan’s military runways increasing in width from between 45-50 metres to 60 metres.
Related Articles
UAVs at TADTE 2023 highlight Taiwan’s defence aspirations
Taiwan completes F-16 upgrade programme as delivery timeline of new jets remains in doubt
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense conducted assessments and consulted with counterparts in the US over the decision, with the US helping in the construction and design of Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung. The runway at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base has a 60-metre standard width and can accommodate large transport planes and B-52 bombers.
The Taiwanese military has also been building a large-scale ammunition depot in Chiayi’s Shuishang Township for the Fourth Tactical Fighter Wing as part of a NT$163.5 million (US$5.2 million) project scheduled for completion by March 2025.
The depot will hold communication surveillance systems and house missiles and precision strike weapons, potentially including AGM-88 HARM missiles and AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Protecting the horizon]()
Protecting the horizon
Make it an unfair fight, with the EA-37B. Deny, degrade, and disrupt the enemy.
-
![Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network]()
Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network
Singapore’s acquisition of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon will be part of a maritime domain awareness network that could include unmanned aerial systems.
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
