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MND CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BUYING F-16 C/D FROM U.S.

ROC Central News Agency

2007-07-17 19:37:53

    Taipei, July 17 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday that it is actively consulting with the United States on the purchase of new F-16 C/D fighter jets, saying that it is "cautiously optimistic" about the purchase.

    MND spokesman Yu Sy-tue was responding to reports in the United Daily News, a local newspaper, which quoted the latest U.S. weekly "Defense News" to say that part of the preconditions for the purchase of the F-16s could be pressuring Taipei to discontinue the development of its Hsiung Feng 2E (Brave Wind) land attack cruise missile, which the United States believes could raise tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

    The reports quoted U.S. sources as saying that the Bush administration will approve the sale after the U.S. presidential elections in November 2008 and ahead of Bush's departure from office in January 2009.

    Yu said that the ministry's stance on questions about military purchases and weaponry research and development has always been "no comment."

    Yu stressed that in a recent simulated cyber war-game maneuver -- the Hankuang No. 23 -- a tactical shorebase missile for fire suppression (TSMFS) was also included. A U.S. delegation, headed by former Pacific Command Commander-in-Chief Adm. Dennis C. Blair, was on hand to observe the entire process.

    Former National Defense Minister Lee Jye confirmed that the MND has discussed the TSMFS with the U.S. side.

    Yu stressed that all of the weaponry systems are for defensive warfare, and that the "United States is well aware of it."

    The MND has not confirmed whether the TSMFS in question is the Hsiung Feng 2E cruise missile that it is developing.

    The Legislative Yuan froze one-third of the NT$16 billion budget for purchase of F-16 C/D jet fighters last month, and that the freeze will be lifted if the MND manages to obtain U.S. consent for the deal by the end of October.

(By Lilian Wu)

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