The United States has approved a $100 million sale of equipment and
services to Taiwan. The equipment and services are to maintain and upgrade
Taipei's Patriot missile defense system. The approval for the sale of
military equipment was announced by the Pentagon on Monday.
The US Department of Defense's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA)
said in a statement it had submitted the required certification notifying
Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was
requested by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington.
"Upgrades to the Patriot Air Defense System will help improve receiver
security and help maintain political stability, military balance, economy
and progress in the region," the DSCA statement said.
"This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests
by supporting the recipient's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed
forces and to maintain a credible defense capability," DCSA continued.
According to DCSA, the main contractors are Raytheon Technologies (RTX.N)
and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N). Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it
welcomed the decision.
"In the face of China's continued military expansion and provocative
actions, our country will safeguard its national security with solid
defense, and continue to deepen the close security partnership between
Taiwan and the United States," the ministry said in a statement.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said the decision to acquire the newer
Patriot missiles was made during a 2019 meeting with US officials in
President Donald Trump's administration.
The ministry said the deal was expected to take effect within a month.
The democratically self-governing island has complained of repeated
missions by the Chinese Air Force in its air defense zone, part of what
Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to pressure Taipei into accepting its
sovereignty.
The United States, like most countries, has no formal relations with
Taiwan, but Washington is its biggest backer and is bound by law to
provide means of self-defense.
US officials have pushed Taiwan to modernize its military so that it can
become a "hedgehog" that China is difficult to attack, and such arms sales
have always angered China.
China's ambassador to the United States last month said the two
superpowers could end up in a military conflict if Washington pushed for
Taiwan's independence.
