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Defense News

2024/11/30

    On November 30, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated that the US government had notified Congress on November 29 (EST) about the US$65 million arms sale to Taiwan, which includes US$320 million for key components of the F-16 fighter jet and support for its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, in addition to Improved Mobile Subscriber Equipment (IMSE) Follow-On Support for the Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM). The arms sale is expected to enter effect after a month.

    The MND has noted that the US sale of key F-16 components and support for its AESA radar will reinforce the air defense capabilities of ROCAF F-16s. Furthermore, the IMSE Follow-On Support will assist the ROC military in preserving the effectiveness of its tactical communication systems and reinforce its field communications, enabling the ROC military to build up a formidable defense.

    The MND stresses that the US assists Taiwan in building up its defense capabilities based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, which serve as the foundation for maintaining regional stability. By strengthening their security partnership, Taiwan and the US will continue to preserve the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait as well as the Indo-Pacific region. The MND expresses their gratitude for the US arms sale.
2024/11/28

MND News Report
Date: 20:40, November 28, 2024

    On November 28, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that it had detected 19 sorties by various combat and auxiliary aircraft since 18:20, including J-16s, KJ-500s, and drones. Fifteen of these sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and its extension, carrying out a joint combat readiness patrol in coordination with PLAN ships and making incursions into Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern airspace. The ROC military is closely monitoring activities in the region through joint ISR operations and has deployed various mission aircraft, ships, and coastal missiles in response.
About MND

The ROC Constitution stipulates that the ROC national defense aims to defend the nation's security and safeguard world peace. Under this, the nation's defense concepts, military strategies, military buildup, and objectives are formulated to prevent conflict. The current international situation and changes to the possible threat to the ROC are also taken into consideration in the making of defense policies at the current stage. The basic objectives are "preventing war," "defending the homeland," and "countering terrorism and responding to contingencies." The higher strategic goal is "effective deterrence, resolute defense" with the establishment of a quality self-defensive force capable of counterattack. China, though calling for reunification, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan. It has not only deployed an increasing number of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan but also staged large-scale military exercises with an overt saber-rattling intent to destabilize Taiwan politically and economically. Moreover, its robust economic expansion in recent years has fueled its defense spending for greater military muscle. In order to maintain Cross-Strait stability and avoid a military imbalance in the Taiwan Strait, the ROC government is calling for the establishment of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and a code of conduct on the one hand, and, on the other hand, has been constructing basic defense forces and counterattack capability to safeguard the territory without engaging in an arms race with the other side.