TAIPEI, March 10 - Taiwan’s defence minister has told lawmakers and reporters that the United States has not asked Taipei to allow transfers of Taiwanese weapons for use in the Middle East.
The comments by Defence Minister Wellington Koo came after South Korea disclosed discussions about the possible movement of some U.S.-provided Patriot missile defence systems from the Korean Peninsula to support operations in the war involving Iran.
Speaking at the legislature, Koo said the redeployment of any U.S.-made systems currently in Taiwan would depend on a formal request from the United States. He added that, were such a request to be made, responsibility for moving those systems would rest with the U.S. side.
"But so far, because of the U.S.-Iran war, they have not approached us about making use of any of our related equipment," Koo said.
The minister’s remarks follow public statements from South Korean officials. South Korea’s foreign minister, Cho Hyun, said on Friday that U.S. and South Korean forces were discussing the potential redeployment of some U.S. Patriot missile defence batteries that are based in South Korea to be employed in the conflict with Iran.
Media reports, citing South Korean government sources, have said Patriot systems were being prepared for movement to the Middle East and that heavy U.S. military transport aircraft had flown into Osan to carry them out.
Taiwan counts the United States as its principal arms supplier and does maintain Patriot missile systems in its own arsenal. The island’s democratic government has been under growing military pressure from China, which asserts sovereignty over Taiwan - a claim Taipei rejects.
Summary: Taiwan’s defence minister says no U.S. request has been made to redeploy Taiwanese weapons to the Middle East. Any movement of U.S.-made systems from Taiwan would only take place at Washington’s request and be executed by U.S. forces. The exchanges follow South Korean disclosures about possible U.S.-South Korean talks to move Patriot batteries to the Middle East, and media reports of transport planes arriving in Osan to facilitate such movements.