Tilting at Windmills - Taiwan’s Air Defense
Green Energy Blocks Air Defense Systems in Northwest Taiwan
China In Arms BOOKSTORE and GIFT SHOP!
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28 October 2024 (Monday)
Tilting at Windmills - Taiwan’s Air Defense
Green Energy Blocks Air Defense Systems in Northwest Taiwan
By Wendell Minnick (Whiskey Mike) 顏文德
TAIPEI - Wind turbines are causing interference for radar systems as the large towers and moving blades reflect electromagnetic radiation.
This has resulted in new air traffic radars for Taoyuan International Airport and now the replacement of older air defense systems in northwest Taiwan.
There is some irony in the situation. Under the Presidential administrations of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), namely Chen Shui-bian and Tsai Ing-wen, two nuclear power stations were canceled in favor of the mini-watts produced by green energy.
The decision impacted both energy security and now air defense for the island. China has ramped-up capabilities to blockade the island, possibly in the Spring, as demonstrated by the recent Joint Sword 2024-B exercise.
On 24 October, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the sale of systems that will mitigate the problem, that is, if China delays an invasion.
The first was a $828 million sale of AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 Radar Turnkey Systems for medium range to long range air surveillance.