WASHINGTON D.C.: The Pentagon said this week that the U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of military technical assistance to Taiwan worth some $108 million.
China continues to threaten to use force to bring Taiwan under its control, and Taipei has complained of Beijing’s military pressure aimed at forcing it to accept Chinese sovereignty.
While the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with the Taipei government, Washington is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means of defense, and the Biden administration has vowed to step up engagement with the island.
According to the Pentagon, Taiwan’s latest request for assistance includes spare and repair parts for tanks and combat vehicles, as well as technical and logistical support from the U.S. government and contractors.
In a statement, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said, “The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient’s vehicles, small arms, combat weapon systems, and logistical support items, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats.”
It would also improve Taiwan’s military ability to coordinate with the U.S. and other allies, and the island’s armed forces would have no difficulty adopting the equipment and support, said officials.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the deal was expected to “become effective” within a month, stating, “In the face of the expanding military threat of the Chinese Communists, properly maintaining equipment is as important as newly purchased weapons and equipment.”
Taiwan has been encouraged by the U.S. to modernize its military, but some U.S. business groups criticized the Biden administration’s Taiwan arms sales policy, claiming it fails to address the overall challenges posed by the Chinese military.
