Taipei, March 2 (CNA) Taiwan's bid to purchase advanced defensive weapons from the United States may see a breakthrough when the two sides meet in Washington in April to discuss the island's procurement list, military sources said on Thursday.
According to the sources, the United States is expected to agree to sell Taiwan data links for installation on Taiwan's second-generation warplanes, and advanced radar systems for an anti-missile shield.
The Republic of China military has long hoped to purchase the warplane data links and advanced radar systems to facilitate integration of command, control, communication and intelligence operations.
As mainland China's recent acquisition of advanced Russian-made warplanes and warships threatens to undermine the military balance in the Taiwan Strait, the sources said the United States may finally agree to sell the information software systems to Taiwan this year.
Moreover, the sources said, the United States has agreed to sell Taiwan software programs for supersonic AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles for installation on Taiwan's F-16 jet fighters. The United States has also promised to furnish Taiwan with AIM-120 hardware systems when necessary, according to military sources.
During the April meeting, the sources said, the United States will approve Taiwan's request to purchase three additional upgraded Patriot missile systems for deployment in central and southern parts of the island. The ROC has already purchased three sets of Patriot PAC-2 Plus anti-missile systems, which have been deployed in densely populated northern Taiwan. The Patriot systems are expected to protect Taiwan from attack by mainland China's M-series missiles.
The United States is also expected to endorse sales of long-range early warning radar systems and P3C anti-submarine aircraft to Taiwan at this year's military procurement meeting, the sources said. Nevertheless, the sources added, the United States may impose some restrictions on the software functions of the early warning radar systems to ensure that they will be used for defensive purposes only.
As for the purchase of guided-missile frigates equipped with the sophisticated Aegis battle management system, military sources said it remains uncertain whether the Clinton administration will approve the deal this year.
Taiwan has tried hard to push the United States to sell Aegis-class frigates to help upgrade the island's naval defense capabilities.
The AEGIS system, which can track hundreds of targets at once, is "more sophisticated than anything Taiwan has now," according to defense experts. They said that providing a missile defense umbrella over ships or coastal areas would balance out Taiwan's current vulnerability to mainland Chinese missile attack. (By Sofia Wu)
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