F-16 retrofit helps maintain Taiwan's security: president
ROC Central News Agency
2011/09/22 15:45:36
By Lee Shu-hua and Elaine Hou
Taipei, Sept. 22 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Thursday that the upgrades to Taiwan's existing F-16A/B jets are aimed at maintaining the country's self-defense capabilities while pursuing peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait.
The request to the United States for upgrading the F-16A/Bs is to maintain Taiwan's defense capabilities, not to engage in war with China, Ma said one day after the U.S. government confirmed its approval of the warplane retrofit package worth US$5.85 billion.
"We have to develop peaceful ties with mainland China, but we haven't, for one second, let our guard down when it comes to Taiwan's security," the president said.
The latest U.S. arms sale, along with two others in 2008 and 2010, respectively, brought the total value of Taiwan's arms procurement from the U.S. to about US$18 billion under the Ma administration.
Ma, who took office in May 2008, said these arms procurements are the most when compared with his two predecessors, Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian.
Echoing Ma's remarks, Executive Yuan spokesman Philip Yang said the latest U.S. arms sale demonstrated Washington's support for Taiwan's resolve of self defense.
It is also seen as a U.S. gesture to show its concern for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Yang added.
Citing the increasing value and scale of U.S. arms sales over the past three years, Yang said the Taipei-Washington ties are in a best standing, with both sides looking forward to deepening bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
Although the U.S. did not approve 66 F-16C/D jet fighters in the latest sale, Yang said the government will continue pushing for the acquisition, as well as the sale of diesel-electric submarines.
Yang said he was confident that the U.S. will remain committed to helping Taiwan's security by providing defensive capabilities.
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