The defense ministry has expressed gratitude to the US Senate Armed Services Committee for including a section promoting military cooperation with Taiwan in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Bill.
Defense ministry spokesman David Lo made the remarks on Saturday. The section says that the US should continue to make available to Taiwan defense articles and services that are necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities. It also says that the support should consist of fast-attack craft, coastal-defense cruise missiles, rapid-runway repair systems, offensive mines, and submarines optimized for defense of the Taiwan Strait.
In response, Lo said submarines are at the top of the list of weapons that the military is trying to acquire. He also repeated an appeal for US assistance as Taiwan pushes forward with an indigenous submarine program. Lo also said that Taiwan welcomes any military exchanges that will help bolster Taiwan’s military capabilities and promote peace and stability in the region.
The bill will be submitted to the full floor of the Senate for a vote.