MND declines to comment on U.S. arms deal report

Taipei, Feb. 18 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday declined to comment on a report that Taiwan is pursuing a multibillion-dollar weapons purchase from the United States.

Citing three anonymous sources, Reuters reported Tuesday that Taiwan is in talks with Washington over a possible arms deal worth an estimated US$7 billion to US$10 billion.

"The package is meant to demonstrate to the U.S. that Taiwan is committed to its defense," Reuters cited one of the sources as saying.

The deal could include coastal defense cruise missiles and HIMARS rockets, it cited a source as saying.

According to another source cited by Reuters, Taiwan is planning a special budget that will prioritize precision ammunition, air-defense upgrades, command and control systems, equipment for the country's reserve forces, and anti-drone technology.

At an MND news conference, officials were asked to comment on the report.

In response, Major General Weng Yu-heng (翁予恒) from the MND's Department of Strategic Planning, said that the ministry would not comment on the Reuters report.

Weng said the MND would adjust and revise its plans to develop the armed forces according to the threats it faces.

Weng added that the MND would plan a special budget based on the threats posed by enemies, how urgently certain types of weapons are needed, production capacity, and estimated delivery schedules.

Following a national security meeting on Feb. 14, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said that he would prioritize efforts to plan a special budget to raise Taiwan's national defense budget to 3 percent of its GDP to bolster its self-defense capabilities.