Taiwan: Mirage readiness rate higher than standard: MND

Mirage readiness rate higher than standard: MND ROC Central News Agency - Taipei, Aug. 4, 2008 (CNA) The readiness rate of Mirage jet fighters has consistently stood above the standard set by the Ministry of National Defense (MND), the military said Saturday. The Military Spokesman's Office (MSO) issued the statement after a local evening paper reported earlier in the day that the Combined Logistics Command was negligent and slack in carrying out its Mirage spare parts procurement mission. According to the United Evening News, the logistics command spent six months procuring just 41 of the more than 400 Mirage spare parts that the air force needed to meet it emergency demand. The shortage embodied the command's serious dereliction of duty. In response, the MSO said in the statement that the average delivery period for overseas procurement ususally needs 22 to 24 months. The statement further said the Combined Logistics Command has never been lax in fulfilling its duty. Noting that the command has categorized the air force's spare parts procurement into three classes -- principal, urgent and crucial importance, the statement said the command has often nudged foreign contractors or suppliers to deliver on Taiwan's orders on schedule. With an above-standard availability rate, the statement added that the air force's Mirage fleet can effectively implement their mission of combat preparedness. Taiwan now has 57 French-made Mirage flighters. (By Sofia Wu) enditem