United States will continue to support Taiwan with military equipment and training 2505151

Posted On
Defence & Security News - Taiwan
 
United States will continue to support Taiwan with military equipment and training.
Taiwan expressed gratitude Saturday, May 23, 2015 to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee for having inserted provisions promoting military cooperation with Taiwan in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Bill.
     
Taiwan expressed gratitude Saturday, May 23, 2015 to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee for having inserted provisions promoting military cooperation with Taiwan in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Bill. Spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan Luo Shou-he. (CNA)
     
"The Defense Ministry of Tawan is grateful to members of the U.S. Senate Armed Forces Committee for pushing a bill that would strengthen the Republic of China's self-defense," said ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Luo Shou-he.

His remarks came after the bill, which includes a section on Taiwan's asymmetric military capabilities and bilateral training activities, cleared the Armed Services Committee on May 14. It will be submitted to the full floor for a vote.

The section says that the U.S., in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, should continue to make available to Taiwan such defense articles and services as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense.

The support should consist of fast-attack craft, coastal-defense cruise missiles, rapid-runway repair systems, offensive mines and submarines optimized for defense of the Taiwan Strait, according to the bill.

In response, Luo said submarines are at the top of the list of weapons the military is trying to acquire to maintain Taiwan's maritime security, and he repeated an appeal for U.S. assistance as Taiwan pushes forward with an indigenous submarine program.

Meanwhile, in the face of China's military threat, Taiwan will continue its efforts to build a small but strong force based on innovative, asymmetric measures as a deterrent to China, he said.