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Taiwan’s Protection Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has mentioned that Taipei will abandon its plan to buy new US anti-submarine warfare helicopters produced by Lockheed Martin Corp, saying they have been excessively dear.
“The worth is simply too excessive, past the scope of our nation’s capacity,” the island’s protection chief mentioned at a parliamentary listening to on Thursday.
Native media, nevertheless, have reported that Washington rejected the sale, within the perception that it was not in keeping with the island nation’s wants.
Washington has did not ship on earlier contractual obligations to Taiwan.
Regardless of showering American protection producers with cash, Taipei continues to be awaiting $14.2 billion value of navy gear that it has already ordered from the US since 2019.
Not too long ago delayed purchases embrace Howitzer artillery techniques and cellular Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. The latter are in excessive demand as Washington is continually sending new Stingers as part of its navy support to Ukraine.
However as Washington continues bolstering Kiev with arms, some American lawmakers are more and more involved over Taiwan’s safety and its capacity to face as much as China, which considers it a part of its territory.
“We have to guarantee that we offer Taiwan with the help that they want in order that they’re not susceptible to [Beijing’s aggression],” US Consultant Steve Chabot (R- Ohio) mentioned final month.
The US has lengthy been dedicated to defending Taiwan’s independence. Most nations, together with the US, wouldn’t have official diplomatic ties with Taipei since Beijing considers the island as part of its territory and is searching for its reunification with mainland China.
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