U.S. Volcano Mine System won’t turn Taiwan into Dangerous Minefield

The U.S. okayed the sale of anti-tank mine laying Volcano system recently, inviting fears that it could turn Taiwan into a dangerous minefield.

The Volcano systems offered to Taiwan, totaling $180 million (NT$5.53 billion), will be mounted on M977 trucks.

Critics of the deal claim the sale violates the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty.

Kuma Academy CEO Ho Cheng-hui refuted claims that the America-produced systems would turn the island nation into one littered with mines, Liberty Times reported.

The system in question deploys mines on the ground which are visible to the naked eye and not anti-personnel mines, which are buried in the ground, Ho said.

Ho added that there is no prohibition against the use of general landmines. The use of landmines in war is a normal method of defense, he said.

Volcano mine system is used to counter large targets, including armored vehicles. The system increases the cost of an enemy attack and has an instant deterrent effect on the enemy's advancement, he said.