US hints at jet sales to Taiwan

The recent US government report saying Taiwan's fighter jets lack the capacity to respond to attacks from the Chinese mainland is just a prelude to more arms sales to the island, which may include F-16 jet fighters, experts said.

The US government's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released an one-off report commissioned by the US Congress, that stated many of Taiwan's roughly 400 combat aircraft would not work in action due to age and maintenance problems, and upgrades are needed as the Chinese mainland gets stronger.

"In recent years, the Chinese People's Liberation Army has increased the quantity and sophistication of its ballistic and cruise missiles and fighter aircraft opposite Taiwan, which has diminished Taiwan's ability to deny PRC efforts to attain air superiority in a conflict," the report says.