Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/10/31
By: Ku Chuan and Joseph Yeh

Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's Cabinet passed a NT$246.7 billion (US$8.04 billion) special budget Thursday to be spent on the purchase of a new fleet of F-16 fighter jets from the United States amid the rising threat from China.

The budget was passed after the Legislative Yuan first passed a bill Tuesday authorizing the Cabinet to allocate a special budget of no more than NT$250 billion to cover funding for the 66 advanced aircraft in a purchase plan that will stretch until Dec. 31, 2026.

Following the special budget's passage, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said the purchase is of vital importance for Taiwan as it will largely boost the nation's defense capabilities.

The purchase will also boost Taiwan's defense industry if the U.S. agrees to transfer some of the key technologies for the fighter jets to Taiwan, he said.    [FULL  STORY]