Ministry of National Defense has stated today (16^th) that the Federal Government of the United States began the “Notifying Congress” procedure for the “F-16 Fighter Aircraft Training Project” in the afternoon on April 15^th, eastern standard time, which is expected to go into full effect after one month.

Ministry of National Defense pointed out that the United States of America continues to assist Taiwan with maintaining adequate self-defense capability on the basis of “Taiwan Relations Act” and “Six Assurances”, which is the foundation to the maintenance of regional stability. The United States of America provides the Republic of China Air Force with the “F-16 Fighter Aircraft Training Project”, which helps with reinforcing the self-defense capability of Taiwan, and Ministry of National Defense expresses its gratitude on this decision of military sale from the United States of America.

The Republic of China Air Force has been implementing advanced tactical training for the F-16 fighter aircraft in the United States of America for a long time, and the substantial elevation of the Air Force’s overall combat capability through absorbing the actual combat experience as well as advanced strategies and tactics of the United States Armed Forces is also in line with the training requirements of the Republic of China Air Force. The Republic of China Air Force will be following this training model and continues to train in the United States of America, and exerts the maximum combat performance of the F-16 fighter aircraft through fine combat skills to ensure the maintenance of adequate combat capability.

Ministry of National Defense further stated that this military sale indicates that the United States of America highly prioritizes the national defense and security of Taiwan. Taiwan and the United States of America will continue strengthening the safe partnership between the two countries, and protect the peacefulness and stability of the Taiwan Strait and Asia-Pacific together.