Military Balance and Arms Sales

Arms Procurement Takes a Small Step
(Taipei Times, Dec. 30, 2006) The legislature voted 162 to 26 in favor of placing part of a long-stalled arms procurement bill on the legislative agenda, but the passage of the bill remains unclear. The KMT helped a NT$6.27 billion portion of the arms procurement package to advance to the budgetary committee for consideration, angering the PFP.

China Offers Glimpse of Rationale Behind Its Military Policies
(Washington Post, Dec. 30, 2006) China warned that the military landscape in northeast Asia is getting "more complicated and serious" because of North Korea's nuclear weapons program and tighter defense cooperation between Japan and the United States.

Robert Gates Backs Defense of Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Dec. 1, 2006) Robert Gates, who has been nominated to replace US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, said "We should maintain our capabilities to resist China's use of force or coercion against Taiwan and assist Taipei in maintaining its self-defense."

F-16 Jet Purchase Hangs on Arms Deal
(Reuters, Nov. 29, 2006) Taiwan's purchase of around 66 F-16 fighter jets from the United States will be dependent on the passage of a long-stalled budget for a much larger arms package.

US-Taiwan Defense Dialogue Concludes for Yet Another Year
(Taipei Times, Nov 19, 2006) An annual dialogue between the deputy defense ministers of Taiwan and the US concluded earlier this week in Washington, with both sides reaching consensus on issues concerning arms deals, military exchanges and defense industry cooperation.

Navy Team in US for Submarine Talks
(Taipei Times, Nov. 11, 2006) Minister of National Defense Lee Jye said that the ministry had sent a delegation of navy officers to the US to renegotiate terms for the nation's submarine purchase.

In Latest Twist, Weapons Deal Gains Life
(Taiwan News, Nov. 2, 2006) The controversial three-weapons arms deal took another twist in the National Defense Committee on Wednesday as legislators decided to refer a budget including funding for the three weapons systems to a plenary session for further discussion later this month.

Arms Bill Blocked Despite U.S. Threat
(China Post, Nov. 1, 2006) Opposition lawmakers yesterday tabled a controversial budget to buy American weapons despite a stern U.S. warning of grave consequences if the Legislature continued blocking the purchases.

Taiwan Commissions U.S. Destroyers
(AP, Nov. 1, 2006) Taiwan on Thursday commissioned two U.S.-built destroyers to help it fend off any potential attack from rival China. Ramrod straight columns of white-uniformed sailors formed a guard of honor at the commissioning ceremony for the Kidd-class vessels.

Lee Says US Has Suspended Arms Talks
(Taipei Times, Oct 31, 2006) "The US informed us in writing that it would suspend an arms exchange meeting with Taiwan, and [the resumption of the meeting] depends on how the arms budget goes," Minister of National Defense Lee Jye said.

Taiwan President Calls for Deterrent against China Military Threat
(AFP, Oct. 31, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian stressed his belief that the country must rapidly develop its military capability to combat the growing threat from China.

Su urges KMT to Support Budget to Buy U.S. Weapons
(China Post, Oct. 29, 2006) Premier Su Tseng-chang urged the Kuomintang (KMT) to support a controversial multi-billion budget to buy U.S. weapons, but the main opposition party's chairman, Ma Ying-jeou, said the issue should be set aside until all sides have calmed down.

US Pushes for Taiwan to Pass Arms Package
(AFP, Oct. 27, 2006) The de facto US ambassador to Taipei Stephen Young sternly asked the island's parliament to approve a controversial arms package, in comments that irked Taiwanese legislators. "Taiwan needs to pass the robust defense budget in this fall's legislative session." "The United States is watching closely and will judge those who take responsible position as well as those who play politics on this critical issue," warned Young.

Committee Again Blocks Weapons Bill
(Taiwan News, Oct. 25, 2006) The bill for a supplementary military budget of NT$6.3 billion was blocked by the opposition parties even though the chairman of the major opposition Kuomintang had reiterated earlier in the day that his party was willing to move the bill forward.

Legislature Says Budget for Defense to be on Agenda
(Taiwan News, Oct. 20, 2006) Following negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, it was agreed that review of a supplementary budget for national defense would be put on the legislative agenda by the end of this month.

Taiwan Not Planning to Reverse No-Nuke Policy
(Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 16, 2006) Taiwan's foreign minister said his government was unchanged in its determination not to build nuclear weapons, brushing aside growing concerns that North Korea's claimed nuclear test would lead Taipei to become a nuclear power.

Taiwan Defense Minister Reminds Military to Stay Out of Politics
(CNA, Oct. 7, 2006) Minister of National Defense Lee Jye has again reminded all military personnel, regardless of their rank, position and pay level, to stay out of politics in accordance with constitutional provisions.

U.S. Suspends F-16 Sale to Taiwan over Budget Delay
(Reuters, Oct. 3, 2006) The United States has temporarily blocked the sale to Taiwan of 66 advanced fighter planes after the island's parliament repeatedly failed to approve funds for an earlier arms package, a Taiwan defense official said.

Army Shows Off Advanced Training Methods
(Taiwan News, Sep. 22, 2006) The Taiwan armed forces has adopted a variety of advanced training techniques in order to maintain their skills in the event that they are required in the defense of the nation.

Reports Claim Taiwan Has New Missile Shield
(AFP, Sep. 14, 2006) Taiwan will introduce a new home-grown anti-missile shield next year as part of the island's efforts to boost defense capabilities against China, reports said.

Taiwan Ruling Party Chief Buoyant on US Arms Purchase
(AFP, Sep. 14, 2006) The head of Taiwan's ruling party held talks with White House officials and assured them that a much-delayed deal to purchase American weapons would be approved by the island's legislature.

Missile Upgrading Designed for Maritime Defense, MND Says
(CNA, Sep. 5, 2006) An ongoing Hsiungfeng-class missile upgrading project is aimed at beefing up the country's maritime defense capabilities in the face of China's mounting military threat, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.

MND Confirms Plan to Buy F-16s
(Taipei Times, Aug 30, 2006) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said that it has proposed a budget for procuring 66 F-16C/D fighter jets from the US. The ministry also released its annual national defense report at yesterday's press conference.

Taiwan Admits Developing New Missiles
(Agence France Presse, Aug. 30, 2006) Taiwan's military yesterday acknowledged for the first time that the island is developing 'special missiles'', which analysts say could hit China's coastal cities.

Taiwan Takes Delivery of Last Two of Four US Destroyers
(Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Aug. 25, 2006) Taiwan has taken delivery of the last two of a purchase of four Kidd-class destroyers from the United States. The two destroyers will leave Saturday on a journey from the US to Taiwan to join the Taiwan Navy.

Taiwan to Boost 2007 Military Spending, Warns of China Hostility (AFP, Aug. 24, 2006) Taiwan's cabinet decided to increase military spending by nearly 30 percent next year as President Chen Shui-bian warned of rival China's continuing hostility towards the island.

Navy Has Never Drilled in Japanese Waters
(CNA, Aug. 24, 2006) The Navy has never conducted training exercises in other countries' territorial waters, a military official said in response to media reports that Okinawa officials have asked the Japanese central government to push Taiwan to stop naval drills in waters near Yonaguni.

Reports Say Japan Upset Over Taiwan Military Drills
(Taipei Times, Aug. 24, 2006) Japan is upset about the proximity of Taiwanese naval drills to Japanese territory. Taiwan's navy announced on the Internet that it would conduct training exercises in airspace and waters east of Ilan County -- near Japan's Yonaguni Island.

Washington Might Sell Minesweepers to Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Aug. 4, 2006) At the request of the Pentagon, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved and sent on to the full Senate a bill to authorize the sale of two Osprey-class minesweepers, the Oriole and the Falcon.

Taiwan Denies Report of Arms Sales to Libya
(AFP, Aug. 3, 2004) Taiwan's defense ministry has denied a press report Taipei is to sell rifles, machine guns and military telecommunications equipment to Libya.

Taiwan Seeks 66 F - 16 Fighters - US Official
(Reuters, July 27, 2006) Taiwan is seeking to buy as many as 66 advanced Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16 fighter aircraft over a period of five to 10 years, a U.S. official familiar with the matter said.

Japan, U.S. Announce Plan to Deploy Patriots in Okinawa
(Associated Press, June 20, 2006) Tokyo and Washington announced a plan to deploy advanced Patriot interceptor missiles and 600 more troops at two U.S. bases in southern Japan by the year’s end.

Taiwan Holds Live War-Game, Simulates Chinese Invasion
(AFP, July 20, 2006) Taiwan has held its largest live-fire military exercise in years, testing fighter jets, US-made Patriot missiles and ground troops against a simulated invasion by China.

China Targeting 820 Missiles at Taiwan: President
(CNA, July 18, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian reissued a warning about China's ever-growing military threat, saying China is now aiming 820 missiles at Taiwan.

China Becomes the World's Third Largest Donor of Food
(The Guardian, July 20, 2006) After 26 years of receiving food aid, China has emerged as the world's third largest food donor, according to a report released today by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP).

US Said to Sell Taiwan 66 Fighter Planes
(AFP, July 17, 2006) The United States has agreed to sell Taiwan 66 advanced fighter jets to counter China's continued arms build-up, it was reported.

MND Mum on Sub Agreement
(Taiwan News, July 16, 2006) The Ministry of National Defense declined to comment yesterday on a media report that the United States has agreed to Taiwan's proposal of a two-stage approach in purchasing eight diesel submarines.

US Clears Two-stage Path to Taiwan Submarine Deal
(Reuters, July 14, 2006) The Pentagon has cleared Taiwan to take a two-stage approach to buying up to eight diesel submarines in a move that could revive the long-stalled potential multibillion-dollar deal.

MND Mulls US$4b Budget for 66 Fighters
(Taiwan News, July 14, 2006) The Ministry of National Defense is assessing a plan to buy sixty-six F-16 C/D fighters from the United States forUS$4 billion in order to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

No Comment on Brave Wind III: MND
(Taipei Times, July 7, 2006) The Ministry of National Defense declined to comment on a local media report that said Taiwan has secretly developed a missile which can hit China's southeast coast.

Taiwan Missile 'Can Hit China Coast'
(Bloomberg, July 6, 2006) Taiwan plans to test-fire a missile in September that has the capability to reach China's southern coastal provinces, Taiwanese online newspaper ET Today said.

Taiwan Fighter Jet Crash; 1 Dead
(AP, June 17, 2006) A U.S.-built Taiwan air force jet crashed in a rice field on Saturday, killing one of its two crew, the military said. The F-5F training jet was on a routine mission across the island when technical problems forced it down.

Taiwan Sets Self-Defense Objectives
(Washington Post, May 21, 2006) Taiwan unveiled its first formal national security policy Saturday, pledging to increase defense spending by 20 percent and urging China to cooperate in establishing a military buffer zone to lower tension in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan Mulls Buying 60 US F-16 Fighters: Report
(AFP, May 16, 2006) Taiwan is considering buying 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets to upgrade its aging air force fleet and counter what it perceives as a growing military threat from China, a report has said.

Taiwan to Buy SDVs from UAE: Lee
(China Post, May 16, 2006) Admiral Lee Jye, minister of National Defense, confirmed yesterday Taiwan is planning to buy seal delivery vehicles (SDVs) from the United Arab Emirates next year.

US House Approves Bill to Bolster Taiwanese Defense
(Taipei Times, May 13, 2006) The US House of Representatives has given overwhelming approval to a bill intended to make it easier and more cost-effective for Taiwan to buy eight diesel-electric submarines from the US by dividing the design and construction phases and giving Taipei more options in the purchase.

US Military Shift to the Pacific a 'Hedge' against China: Pentagon
(AFP, Apr. 21, 2006) The United States is shifting its military might to the Asia-Pacific region and equipping its forces for high-tech warfare as a hedge against China's military buildup, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Taiwan Unveils Two Early Warning Aircraft
(AFP, Apr. 16, 2006) Taiwan has unveiled two E-2K Hawkeye early warning airplanes which are expected to bolster its defense capabilities against rival China.

Weapons Budget Shot Down for 50th Time
(Taipei Times, Apr. 5, 2006) The meeting between President Chen Shui-bian and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou on Monday failed to resolve the dispute over the arms procurement bill, which was yesterday rejected for the 50th time

Taiwan Parades Its US Assault Vehicles
(AP, Mar. 29, 2006) Amphibious armoured personnel carriers (APCs) rolled ashore near the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, as the island's military presented the newest addition in its arsenal to counter rival China.

Taiwan Opposition Looks for Accord on Arms Deal
(Reuters, Mar. 24, 2006) Taiwan's main opposition party is building a consensus on an $11 billion U.S. arms package that has long been delayed by political wrangling, according to the party's leader.

Cross-Strait Clash Means 'Everybody Loses,' US Warns
(AFP, Mar. 18, 2006) The Bush administration urged China and Taiwan on Thursday to avoid any unilateral steps that might upset the status quo and warned that "everybody loses" in the event of a cross-strait clash.

Japan, Australia and US Hold Security Talks
(Reuters, Mar. 17, 2006) U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and their Australian counterpart Alexander Downer met in Sydney for talks on how the three could together deal with issues such as China and how to tackle its growing military strength.

Taiwan Opposition Can't Agree on US Arms Deal
(Reuters, Mar. 15, 2006) Taiwan's opposition lawmakers are divided over whether, or what, to buy from a package of advanced weaponry offered by Washington, dashing hopes for a resolution to end the deadlocked deal any time soon.

Armitage Urges Taiwan to Take Issue of Self-Defense Seriously
(China Post, Mar. 9, 2006) Former U.S. Deputy Secretary Of State Richard Armitage yesterday urged Taiwan to take its self-defense seriously, following Taipei scrapping a council in charge of managing unification with the mainland.

US Defense of Taiwan Is 'Not a Given'
(Straits Times, Mar. 9, 2006) A leading Republican congressman has questioned whether the US would defend Taiwan if provocative actions by the island's lawmakers were to spark a military conflict with China.

Taiwan Says It Now Faces 784 Chinese Missiles
(AFP, Mar. 8, 2006) China has now deployed 784 missiles which could paralyze Taiwan's communications, transportation and command centers in a 10-hour bombardment, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said.

Commercial Photos Show Chinese Nuke Buildup
(Washington Times, Feb. 16, 2006) Commercial satellite photos made public recently provide a new look at China's nuclear forces and bases images that include the first view of a secret underwater submarine tunnel.

MND Denies Targeting Cross-Strait Flights
(Bloomberg, Jan. 28, 2006) Taiwanese fighter jets simulated intercepting hostile planes in a defense exercise, the same day chartered flights from China were scheduled to arrive, Taiwan's defense ministry said.

Satellite Images Released to Urge Arms Budget Support
(AFP, Jan. 20, 2006) The Ministry of National Defense released satellite photos of Chinese military bases in an rare move aimed at winning support for the long-stalled arms procurement plan.

Taiwan Made 3 Cruise Missile Prototypes: Jane's
(AFP, Jan. 9, 2006) Taiwan has produced three prototypes of a new cruise missile which could be used to strike the east coast of rival China. With a range exceeding 600 kilometers, the missile will be able to attack targets along the east coast of the Chinese mainland.

MND Says Spratly Airport Strategic
(Taiwan News, Jan. 6, 2006) There are strategic considerations behind the military's plan to build an airport on Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island), Deputy Minister of National Defense Michael Tsai said.

MND Rebuts MOFA's Remarks on Changing Arms Deal Items
(Taiwan News, Jan. 4, 2006) The Ministry of National Defense refuted Foreign Affairs Minister Mark Chen's previous comments at the Legislature that the United States has requested Taiwan to change its order form for the arms procurement package.

Weapons Deal Expected to Gain Approval
(Reuters, Dec. 20, 2006) Taiwan is likely to pass a long-stalled defense bill to buy weapons from the United States within the next month because of a likely change of heart in an opposition party, the legislative's speaker said.

Anti-Sub Aircraft Purchase Set for Legislative Approval
(Taiwan News, Nov. 9, 2006) Approval for the purchase of 12 P-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft - one of the three items in an arms package offered by the United States - is set to clear the Legislature later this fall session after the Defense Committee approved the 2007 budget for buying the weapons.

Arms Impasse Weakens Taiwan By Chang Yan-ting
(Taipei Times, Nov. 5, 2006) The arms procurement bill was recently blocked in the legislature for the 61st time, and some say this continued refusal to invest in national defense is causing a deterioration in US-Taiwan relations.

Sources Say US-Taiwan Ties 'Normal' By Charles Snyder
(Taipei Times, Nov. 2, 2006) The US State Department and Taipei Times sources have contradicted Minister of National Defense Lee Jye's assertion that the US has suspended military contacts with Taiwan in retaliation for the Legislative Yuan's failure to move a US arms procurement deal forward. "No. There is no change in US policy regarding Taiwan security," the State Department said.

U.S. Getting Impatient over Arms Budget Delay
(China Post, Oct. 28, 2006) The U.S. de facto ambassador's stern warning over Taiwan's delay in passing a major budget to buy American weapons is an indication of Washington's increasing impatience, observers said.

Young's Comments on Arms Bill Provokes Political Storm
(Taiwan News, Oct. 28, 2006) American Institute in Taiwan Director Stephen Young's comments on a long-delayed arms deal raised more political ripples as government officials urged quick approval of the package by the Legislature. But opposition lawmakers adopted more tough-sounding rhetoric to condemn Young.

US Issues 'Ultimatum' to Taiwan over Arms Deal
(Straits Times, Oct. 27, 2006) Taiwan needs to approve a long-delayed budget to purchase arms from the United States by the end of this year, said a US official in what lawmakers described as an ultimatum.

MND to Focus on Upgrading Joint Operations Capacity
(Central News Agency, Oct. 3, 2006) The building up of Taiwan's weaponry systems will focus on the upgrading of the overall capacity of the joint operations of the armed forces, Lee Jye, minister of Ministry of National Defense (MND), said.

Taiwan Security: A KMT’s Perspective By SU Chi
(US-Taiwan Business Council, Denver, Colorado, USA, Sep. 11, 2006) The KMT wants to be a Positive “Responsible Stakeholder” in East Asia. We believe Taiwan can contribute to and benefit from a peaceful and prosperous region.

Next Troublesome Missile Test: Taiwan? By Simon Montlake
(Christian Science Monitor, July 31, 20060 As Asia grapples with the fallout from North Korea's projectile posturing, another military flashpoint in the region - the Taiwan Strait - is in the midst of missile tensions as well. Taiwan may be preparing to test-fire a missile in September capable of striking – and angering – China.

US May Pressure Taiwan for Missile Efforts: Report
(Taipei Times, June 21, 2006) The US is troubled by Taiwan's efforts to build missiles to defend itself against a Chinese attack and may pressure Taipei to cancel indigenous missile programs.

Security Report Proposes Building 'Political Relations' with China
(China Post, May 21, 2006) Taiwan, in a national security report published yesterday, proposed building "political relations" with its arch rival China, and setting up a cross-strait demilitarized zone. The 155-page report listed a variety of ways in which it said China is threatening Taiwan, from information warfare to diplomatic isolation.

Taiwan's Security: Beyond the Special Budget By Mark A. Stokes
(Asian Outlook, AEI, March 2006) observers in the United States have questioned Taiwan's commitment to its own defense. The debate over special budget and increased defense spending has not symbolized a lack of commitment.

US Unease Rises over China's Military Spending By Eugene Low
(Straits Times, Mar. 9, 2006) Concerns in the United States about China's growing military spending have increased not just over the amounts being spent, but also over what the money is spent on, observers and analysts say.

China's Missile Threat 'Unstoppable' By Rowan Callick
(Australian, Mar. 2, 2006) The balance of terror across the Taiwan strait, where tensions have again soared this week following President Chen Shui-bian's move to scrap Taiwan's National Unification Council, gives China the capacity to pulverise and close down the island but not yet to invade it.

No 'Free Lunch' Courtesy of US Military, Analysts Say
(Taipei Times, Feb. 21, 2006) While the US' shift of naval power to the Pacific seems to suggest Taiwan would be under increased protection, it is naive to think that Taiwan can rely on the US for its defense, security analysts said.

US Said To Be Blocking Sale of Subs By Mac William Bishop
(Taipei Times, Feb. 20, 2006) Recent reports in defense publications say the US Navy, State Department and National Security Council are helping to stall the sale.

Can Taiwan Truly Rely On The US By Martin Walker
(United Press International, Feb. 8, 2006) A senior Taiwanese military commander has thrown complicated new factor into the latest skirmish in the recurrent war of words between politicians across the Taiwan Straits.

Soft Power + Defensive Defense = National Security By Su Chi
(United Daily, Jan. 24, 2006) In view of the prevailing trends, the best course of action for Taiwan in the short run is concentrating on healing its internal wounds, while simultaneously nurturing friendships abroad. In the long run, assuming that China’s geopolitical prowess continues to rise, it will be imperative that Taiwan continue to maintain a certain level of “hard power”, and expand its “soft power”.

Taiwan Still Needs a Good Offense
(Editorial, Taipei Times, Jan. 14, 2006) It is absurd to say that "offensive" capabilities somehow disturb the delicate "balance" in the Taiwan Strait. There is no military balance in the Taiwan Strait, only a chasm between China's growing martial strength and Taiwan's increasingly obsolete armed forces.

Top Diplomat Denies Ministerial Fall-Out Over Arms Purchase By Charles Snyder (Taipei Times, Jan. 8, 2006) Taiwan's top representative in Washington has denied that there is any rift between Taiwan's foreign and defense ministries over the purchase of weapons from the US, and has rebutted reports that Washington has given Taiwan the green light to come up with a new weapons purchase wish list.

Meetings on Arms Procurement (National Defense Committee, Legislative Yuan, Jan. 5, 2006) 31 meeting on arms procurements, including Defense Minister Lee Jye on arms procurement and US-China-Taiwan relations.