US approves $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan including Ukraine
The United States has greenlit a potential $2 billion arms sale package to Taiwan, as announced by the Pentagon on Friday. This package includes the delivery of an advanced air defense missile system that has been battle-tested in Ukraine, marking the first time such a system will be sent to the island.
Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. is legally obligated to provide Taiwan, which is claimed by China, with the means to defend itself, a move that consistently provokes Beijing’s ire.
In recent weeks, China has intensified military pressure on Taiwan, conducting a new series of war games around the island last week. This was the second time such exercises have occurred since Lai Ching-te assumed the presidency of Taiwan in May.
According to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the new sale includes $1.16 billion allocated for missile systems and an estimated $828 million for radar systems. RTX Corp will be the principal contractor for the missile system, as stated by the Pentagon.
“This proposed sale aligns with U.S. national, economic, and security interests by aiding the recipient’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military and maintain a credible defense capability,” the Pentagon noted in a statement.
“The proposed sale will enhance the recipient’s security and contribute to political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.”
The missile system sale encompasses three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) medium-range air defense solutions, which include the advanced AMRAAM Extended Range surface-to-air missiles.
The NASAMS system has proven effective in Ukraine and signifies a substantial enhancement in air defense capabilities that the U.S. is providing to Taiwan, especially as demand for the system rises.
A U.S. government source, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, indicated that NASAMS is a new addition for Taiwan, with Australia and Indonesia being the only other countries in the region currently utilizing it.
Taiwan’s defense ministry welcomed the announcement, noting the “proven” use of NASAMS in Ukraine and saying it would help Taiwan’s air defense capabilities in the face of China’s frequent military manoeuvres.
Taiwan’s military is bolstering its armaments to be able to better face any attack from China, including building its submarines to defend vital maritime supply lines.
China detests Lai as a “separatist” and has rebuffed his repeated calls for talks. Lai rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
China’s government on Saturday kept up its attacks on Lai, denouncing comments he made on Friday on a sensitive frontline island about how no “external force” can change Taiwan’s future.
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“There can be no future for ‘Taiwan independence’. The future of Taiwan lies in the complete reunification of the motherland,” China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement.
The arms sale to Taiwan (equipment) will come from supplies of the US Air Force.
Although the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan diplomatically, it remains Taipei’s key partner and primary supplier of weapons. This situation has caused significant concern for Beijing, which has consistently urged Washington to cease its arms sales to the island, claiming it as part of its territory.
Beijing has frequently voiced its frustration over international support for Taipei and has accused Washington of interfering in its internal matters.
China maintains a near-constant presence of fighter jets, drones, and warships around the island.
Beijing has asserted that it will never abandon the option of using force to bring Taiwan under its control and has intensified its rhetoric about the “inevitability” of “unification.”
Earlier this month, Taiwan recorded an unprecedented 153 Chinese aircraft in a single day.
In September, Beijing imposed sanctions on US defense companies in response to Washington’s approval of military equipment sales to Taiwan.