2024/06/06
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release explaining reports of "arms sales of parts to air-force F-16 fighter aircraft of Taiwan"
Press release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: June 6, 2024 at 09:30
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (6th) that on June 5, EST, the US Government approved the two cases of fully-secured "General" (USD 220 million) and "Specialised" (USD 80 million) aviation materials for F-16 aircraft of the Air Force. These arms sales to Taiwan total USD 300 million, and the deal is expected to take effect one month after the "Notification to Congress" procedure is implemented.
Attempts of Communist China to encroach on gray areas in the region have not only suppressed training space and reaction time in our sea-waters and airspace, but also limited our rights to self-defense and counterattack. As such, the sale of aviation supplies, spare parts, and accessories by the US should help to maintain equipment availability and replenishment parts of fighter aircraft in our Air Force, accommodating our defense needs and combat readiness training, thus ensuring to uphold our conventional combat capabilities.
As pointed out by the MND, the stability of the Taiwan Strait needs to be jointly sustained by both sides of the Strait. We have expressed our utmost good intentions, but military intimidation simply will not contribute to regional peace. As such, we urge Communist China to stop all kinds of irrational behavior against Taiwan. In addition, the United States should continue to work with Taiwan based on the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Guarantees to assist Taiwan in maintaining adequate self-defense capabilities, which is the basis for upholding regional stability. The MND should also like to express its sincere gratitude to the United States for the arms sales.