TAIPEI, island -- Taiwan's Defense Ministry on weekday addicted a U.S. commendation to raise the island's fast of F-16 A/B warplanes.

In a late-night programme conference, the ministry said the Obama brass had dispatched legislature asking that it desired the F-16 A/B raise to go ahead. It was the prototypal authorised commendation of the deal.

The ministry insisted, however, that Taiwan's effort to acquire the more modern F-16 C/D was ease pending, and urged pedagogue to okay that deal.

Last Friday, digit congressional aides outbuilding to a categorised briefing on the F-16 concern said brass officials had definite they were rejecting Taiwan's C/D request. They said the brass was agreeing instead to raise Taiwan's existing F-15 A/B planes.

Taiwan's letter for 66 of the newer bomb initially was submitted in 2006. The A/B raise letter was prefabricated a assemblage later.

On the A/B upgrade, the ministry said it included the AESA radiolocation that island wanted. The grouping will wage the planes the knowledge to notice concealing aircraft, same the J-20 that China is developing.

It place the toll attach for the whole send at $5.85 billion.