PNN – The United States approved the sale of $2 billion in weapons to Taiwan, including the surface-to-air missile system that was also used in Ukraine.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network from the Asian News Channel, the US Department of Defense announced (Friday local time) that Washington has approved the sale of an arms package worth $2 billion to Taiwan. This package includes delivery of advanced air defense missile system.
The United States is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, and this has been a constant source of anger for Beijing.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the new sale includes $1.16 billion of missile systems and $828 million worth of radar systems.
The proposed sale serves the national, economic, and security interests of the United States by supporting the recipient’s continued efforts to modernize the armed forces and maintain a credible defense capability, the Department of Defense said in a statement.
Washington claims that the proposed arms sale will help improve Taiwan’s security and maintain political stability, military balance and economic development in the region.
Missile system sales for three medium-range air defense solutions are the Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which includes advanced-range surface-to-air missiles.
An advanced surface-to-air missile system has been tested in Ukraine, marking a significant increase in air defense capabilities that the United States is exporting to Taiwan as demand for the system increases.
This is a new weapon for Taiwan, and Australia and Indonesia are the only other countries in the region currently using it, a US government source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
According to the report, Taiwan’s military is beefing up its armaments to counter any Chinese attack, including building its own submarines to defend vital maritime supply lines.
China has increased military pressure on Taiwan, including holding a new round of military exercises around the island last week, the second since Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan’s president.
China refers to Lai Ching-te as a “separatist” and has rejected his repeated requests for talks. Lai rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, saying only the people of Taiwan can determine their future.
The Chinese government continued its attacks on Lai Ching-te on Saturday, condemning his remarks on Friday about how no “foreign force” can change Taiwan’s future.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office announced in a statement: There is no future for “Taiwan independence”. Taiwan’s future lies in the complete reunification of the motherland.