United States has clears a possible $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan

The Pentagon announced on Friday that the United States has cleared a possible $2 billion arms sale package to Taiwan, which includes the first-ever supply of a cutting-edge air defense missile system that was tested in Ukraine. To Beijing’s perpetual ire, the United States is legally required to give Chinese-claimed Taiwan the tools it needs to protect itself, even in the absence of official diplomatic relations.

For the second time since Lai Ching-te became president of Taiwan in May, China has increased military pressure on the island nation, including last week’s latest round of war games around the island. According to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the latest deal included radar and missile systems valued at an estimated $828 million and $1.16 billion. According to the Pentagon, RTX Corp. will be the main contractor for the missile system, opens new tab.

“This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” it said in a statement.

“The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.”

According to the statement, the sale of missile systems comprises three medium-range air defense options from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), including the cutting-edge AMRAAM Extended Range surface-to-air missiles.As demand for the system rises, the United States is exporting a considerable increase in air defense capabilities to Taiwan with the NASAMS system, which has been battle tested in Ukraine.

The statement was welcomed by Taiwan’s defense ministry, which pointed to the “proven” usage of NASAMS in Ukraine and stated that it would strengthen Taiwan’s air defense capabilities against China’s periodic military drills.Building its own submarines to protect crucial maritime supply routes is one of the ways Taiwan’s military is strengthening its arsenal to better withstand any Chinese attack.
China has rejected Lai’s repeated requests for negotiations and hates him as a “separatist”. Lai denies Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty, arguing that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their own destiny.

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.

“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.