TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The head of the Veterans Affairs Council (國軍退除役官兵輔導委員會) emphasized the Mirage 2000's critical role in Northern Taiwan's air defense, as a result, will retain it. Yen De-fa (嚴德發), who previously evaluated the jets' viability as national defense minister, acknowledged their high maintenance costs but stressed that national security takes precedence.
The debate over the Mirage 2000's future intensified after a crash on Sept. 10 raised safety and cost concerns. Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Huang Jen (黃仁) voiced concerns about the Mirage 2000's vulnerabilities, noting that China is well-acquainted with its capabilities and that extending its lifespan is costly. Huang suggested considering new aircraft models.
Yen responded by promising to relay Huang's suggestions to the Air Force (空軍), indicating a willingness to explore future options while maintaining current defense capabilities.