Taipei, Aug. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's military has proposed to spend NT$510.72 million (US$16.69 million) in the coming years to build a vertical wind tunnel for army paratrooper training, according to a budget proposal made public recently.
The Army Command Headquarters is set to spend that amount of proposed budget from fiscal year 2026 to 2028 to construct a building to house the vertical wind tunnel, as stated in the budget proposal sent to lawmakers for approval on Friday.
In explaining the importance of building a vertical wind tunnel, the Army said in its budget proposal that such a facility would provide free-fall conditions in a controlled environment and improve the safety of training and skill advancement for its paratroopers.
It will also be more cost-effective than sending aircraft to conduct field training, it added.
Meanwhile, the same budget proposal also states that Taiwan's armed forces are expected to take delivery of all 14 sets of M136 Volcano mine-dispensing systems bought from the United States in 2026.
It is also scheduled to take delivery of the first two MQ-9B "SkyGuardian" drones next year, with the remaining two set to arrive in Taiwan in 2027, the military said in the proposal.
