Free Republic

Taiwan on Wednesday welcomed the confirmation of its purchase of a fleet of advanced US attack helicopters, saying it would boost its defences even as it seeks improved ties with mainland China. The US Department of Defense announced Tuesday that defence contractor Boeing acquired the contract to sell 30 Apache AH-64D Longbow helicopters to Taiwan, and that it was required to deliver them in 2014. The deal "will certainly help beef up Taiwan's naval, anti-landing and ground-warfare capabilities," Defence Ministry spokesman Yu Sy Tue told AFP, adding that the deal was evidence of Taiwan's determination to defend itself