US congressman supports new subs, F-16s for Taiwan

Jan. 30, 2013 Pacific Sentinel

US Congressman Edward Royce (R-CA) said in Taipei on Monday that he is in favor of the United States selling new submarines and F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.

"With respect to submarines, Taiwan is in need of upgrades in terms of their submarine fleet and I support newer subs for Taiwan," Royce, the new chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference.

He said the focus of the US is on the objective of having Taiwan obtain diesel submarines. "Our goal is to find an effective way to meet that objective," he added.

Pointing out that the congressional delegation he led on its Jan. 26-28 visit to Taiwan is here to learn more about the country's defense needs, Royce said his delegation has "begun that process" of meeting that objective. He added that a day earlier, the delegation toured one of the Navy's existing submarines, a Guppy-class "Sea Lion" in southern Taiwan, as well as attended a briefing on Taiwan's defense needs.

Meanwhile, Royce said he believes "Taiwan should have the ability to acquire new F-16s" and that he has in the past urged the US administration to grant that request from Taiwan. Asked if Taiwan should vie for the next generation of F-35 fighter jets, the congressman said he believes that the F-16C/Ds would be a "better decision."

Read the full story at Want China Times