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Where’s the Outrage? Military Helicopters to Taiwan from Europe

TAIPEI, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Eurocopter EC-225Taiwan said on Friday it would buy military helicopters from a European manufacturer, a move that could ignite China’s anger toward Europe following a storm over U.S. arms sales to the island that Beijing claims as its own.

The air force will buy EC-225 search-and-rescue helicopters, defense ministry spokesman Martin Yu said without offering details.

China has blasted the United States over a planned $6.4 billion arms package for Taiwan, saying it would place sanctions on U.S. firms that sell weapons to the self-ruled island that Beijing considers a breakaway province of China.

Taiwan will sign a $111 million deal in the next few days to buy up to 20 choppers from Eurocopter, the Defense News reported. Eurocopter is a subsidiary under German-based EADS.

“What is equally odd about the contract award is China has remained silent on the issue after it threatened to sanction U.S. companies selling arms to Taiwan and occurs at the same time European leaders have been pushing for a lifting of arms exports to China,” Defense News said.

The EC-225 is considered a dedicated search and rescue craft rather than a combat helicopter.

China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when Mao Zedong’s forces won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists fled to the island. Beijing has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.

Taiwan seeks advanced foreign-made weapons to update its military, which lags China in the balance of power.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration notified Congress a week ago of its first proposed arms sales to Taiwan including Black Hawk utility helicopters, Patriot “Advanced Capability-3” anti-missile missiles, and command-and-control technology.

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