Washington refuses to sell Taiwan modern fighter aircraft

Defence News magazine quoted on Military Affairs on August 15 / August, a spokesman for the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, saying that the United States refused to supply 66 fighter jet model F-16 C / D for the benefit Taiwanese forces.

The spokesman added, "The United States has disappointed we thought."



The magazine pointed out that a delegation from the U.S. Department of Defense met over the past week Taiwanese military officials, and told them of the rejection decision, offering them the supply of equipment and spare complementary to update old jets F16A / B. The U.S. offer includes electronic AESA radar, capable of increasing the effectiveness of the 146 fighter aircraft to the Taiwan Air Force.

The Reuters news agency indicated that it has not issued official statements from Washington or Taipei about aircraft deal.

China has repeatedly expressed its protest on the willingness of the United States sell Taiwan aircraft. It is noteworthy that an agreement for the supply of weapons to Taiwan reached in December / December 2008 under President George W. Bush, despite the protest's China, prompting Beijing to halt the dialogue in military affairs with Washington, which resumed in February / February 2009.

Beijing warned Washington after hearing the news about the U.S. intention to sell Taiwan weapons, from undermining bilateral relations, and the possibility of retaliatory measures.

Taiwan is de facto independent state since 1949, but Beijing considers the island belonging to the territory of the People's Republic of China.