The AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles, which arrived here last month, are sufficient to counter China's AA-12 missiles and will help maintain military balance in the Taiwan Strait, according to the Liberty Times.

It said the air force is planning a live-fire test of the sophisticated missile next year -- the first such tests outside the United States.

The air force declined to comment on the report.

Taiwan bought 120 AIM-120s from the United States in 2000 on the condition they would only be delivered if China acquired similar weaponry.

The fact that China had test-fired the Russian-made AA-12 missiles in June 2002 prompted Washington to deliver the AIM-120s to Taipei, the report said.

Air force officials have earlier said the US-built missile, which has a range of 50 kilometres (31 miles) and is equipped with advanced guidance systems, would be used to arm part of Taiwan's fleet of 150 F-16 fighter jets.

The United States remains the leading arms supplier to Taiwan despite shifting its political recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

China has repeatedly protested to the United States over its policy of selling weapons to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory to be reunified by force if necessary.

WAR.WIRE