The Defense Ministry has confirmed that Taiwan is one of the countries involved in U.S. arms dealer RTX’s illegal gains controversy. In a Legislature committee meeting on Monday, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) emphasized that the arms sales figures were determined by the United States government. He said the U.S. therefore is responsible for correcting the overcharge issue and pursuing RTX for fraud.
International media has reported blown-out pricing of defense sales to Taiwan, such as the Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System’s (PAVE PAWS) 15-year maintenance cost of US$37.7 billion, which can almost buy a brand new radar system. Koo clarified that the intelligence information obtained by PAVE PAWS is invaluable, so the relevant maintenance fees are based on Taiwan's needs and negotiated directly with the United States.
Regarding the rumored suspension of Taiwan’s next-generation Advanced Defense Fighter (ADF) development plan, the Defense Minister explained that there are two key factors to the development of new fighter aircraft: the first is the maturity of key technology capability, and the second is the available outsourcing of necessary equipment. He said that certain domestic technologies are still developing and that the ministry is, at present, still striving to obtain U.S. elements.