MND denies reported breakdown of arms deals with U.S.
ROC Central News Agency
2010/08/09 20:57:02
By Emmanuelle Tzeng and Sofia Wu
Taipei, Aug. 9 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday denied a newspaper report that said Taiwan's hopes of procuring diesel electric submarines and F-16 C/D jet fighters from the United States have dimmed as China has brought intense pressure to bear against the plan.
"The report was not true," the MND said in a press statement. "We have never received any U.S. notice saying it would cease arms sales to Taiwan, nor have we ever come to any conclusion that the U.S. would stop mulling the two deals."
The statement further stressed that the military has never wavered on its policy and stance on purchasing U.S.-built weapons.
The Liberty Times reported Monday that Taiwan's intelligence units have concluded that long-term efforts to buy eight submarines and 66 F-16 C/Ds have almost proved futile due to Beijing's strong opposition and that the only viable alternative would be taking up the U. S. offer to help Taiwan upgrade its fleet of F-16 A/Bs.
The paper also quoted unidentified naval sources as saying that it remains to be seen whether Taiwan's government has the mettle to build smaller submarines on its own.
According to the daily, the Air Force had intended to buy F-16 C/Ds from the U.S. to replace its aging F-5E/Fs, which are scheduled to be retired this year.
The paper also said that the military may consider buying an upgraded version of locally developed IDF fighters.
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