Taiwan says to buy air force helicopters from Europe

TAIPEI Feb 5 (Reuters) - Taiwan said on Friday it would buy air force 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 model search-and-rescue helicopters, defence 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. [ID:nSGE6110AB]