Defense ministry urges U.S. to sell advanced fighter jets to Taiwan
ROC Central News Agency
2009/08/08 19:55:25
Taipei, Aug. 8 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) called on the United States Sunday to supply Taiwan with the advanced F-16C/D fighter jets, in the interest of military equilibrium in the Taiwan Strait.
The ministry stated in a press release that with China's military budget showing double-digit annual growth in recent years, an imbalance of military power is developing across the Taiwan Strait.
Quoting a recent research report by the Washington-based thinktank RAND Corp., the ministry said that "China's ability to suppress Taiwan and local U.S. air bases with ballistic and cruise missiles seriously threatens the defense's ability to maintain control of the air over the strait." The research report released on Aug. 3 suggests that regaining the initiative in the air may require the U.S. and Taiwan to acquire new strike capabilities.
The MND maintains that the procurement of F-16C/Ds is vital and urgent to Taiwan's air defense, the release stated.
A military delegation from Taiwan visited Washington, D.C. in May to explore the possibility of procuring 60 F-16C/D fighter planes.
(By Lillian Lin) ENDITEM/ pc
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