U.S. Will Not Sell F-16 New to Taiwan

U.S. Will Not Sell F-16 New to Taiwan

U.S. Will Not Sell F-16 New to Taiwan

United States to make sure not to sell F-16 fighter series C / D to Taiwan. The decision was delivered by the U.S. State Department in a closed meeting with the U.S. Congress on Friday (09/16/2011) local time.

This was stated by a source in the U.S. Congress told the news agency Agence France Presse. Sources of anonymity, said the official announcement of this new rejection of the sale will be delivered next few weeks.

"We heard from the State Department that the (U.S.) will increase the capability (F-16 fleet which is owned by Taiwan), but no sales (new F-16 aircraft)," said the source.

This information was published in tune with the news that the U.S. defense magazine, Defense News, some time ago, which states, Washington officials had told Taiwan that sales of F-16 C / D will not be done.

Taiwan made an offer to buy 66 F-16 C / D, which has the capability of radar and weapons more powerful than the 146 aircraft the F-16 A / B is already owned by Taiwan for this. Arms purchase plan was made to counter China's military growth.

However, Washington did not immediately grant the application for Taiwan, and only approved arms sales package worth 6.4 billion U.S. dollars in January 2010. The package includes the sale of Patriot anti-missile missiles, Black Hawk helicopters, and the increased ability of the fleet of F-16 A / B Taiwan. Fighter planes and submarines are not included in the package, which sparked strong protests from China's.

News of the administration of President Barack Obama's refusal to sell new fighter aircraft to Taiwan was an immediate strong reaction from Sen. John Cornyn of the Republican Party. Cornyn last week filed a bill that would force Obama approved this sale.

Cornyn called the rejection of the sale of new F-16 aircraft to Taiwan was a proof of "surrendering to China's communist" and a "sad day for U.S. foreign policy" and a "slap in the face of a strong ally and old friend of the U.S." .

When confirmed, the Taiwan Ministry of Defense revealed, until now the U.S. side has not made any decisions about this purchase request. "We have not heard from the U.S. side that the decision about the (sales) F-16 C / D has been made. We continue to pursue this petition because we need to replace the F-5 aircraft fleet we are already parents to keep our air defenses," said David Lo, a spokesman for Taiwan Kemhan.

The U.S. obligation to support Taiwan's national defense, in accordance with the Act (the Act) Taiwan Relations. Act which was passed in 1979 requiring Washington to ensure that Taiwan can defend itself from any threat from outside. However, the U.S. must face China, which considers Taiwan part of Chinese territory.