Taipei: Taiwan’s military has announced plans to invest NT$510.72 million (US$16.69 million) over the next few years to construct a vertical wind tunnel for army paratrooper training, as revealed in a recent budget proposal.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Army Command Headquarters intends to allocate the proposed budget from fiscal year 2026 to 2028 for the construction of a facility to house the vertical wind tunnel. This information was included in a budget proposal submitted to lawmakers for approval on Friday. The Army emphasized that the vertical wind tunnel would provide controlled free-fall conditions, enhancing both the safety and skill level of its paratroopers. Additionally, it noted that this approach would be more cost-effective compared to conducting field training using aircraft.
The proposal also outlines that Taiwan’s armed forces are set to receive all 14 sets of M136 Volcano mine-dispensing systems purchased from the United States in 2026. Furthermore, Taiwan is scheduled to receive the first two MQ-9B “SkyGuardian” drones next year, with the remaining two expected to arrive in 2027, as stated in the military’s proposal.
