Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced that the territory will spend NT$70.6 billion (US$2.2 billion) to buy weapons from the US next year, according to the South China Morning Post on the evening of November 18.
Taiwan's NT$70.6 billion budget will be spent on weapons including mobile short-range air defense missiles and upgraded radar systems.
A recent proposal submitted to Taiwan's legislature for consideration highlighted the purchases, which include 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks, 66 F-16V fighter jets, 29 high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) and 100 Harpoon missile systems.
Taiwanese soldiers load a US-made Harpoon AGM-84 anti-ship missile during a combat readiness mission at an air base in Hualien, Taiwan, on August 17, 2022.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry added that the North has signed contracts with the United States for 21 procurement projects, totaling NT$716.6 billion, with final payments expected to be made in 2031.
"Of the total, about NT$373.1 billion has been paid, while NT$343.5 billion remains unpaid and will be disbursed according to the payment schedule," Taiwan's Defense Ministry said on November 18.
Multiple media reports recently reported that Taiwan has approached US President-elect Donald Trump's team about a $15 billion arms package, which is said to include up to 60 F-35 stealth fighters, four E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft, 10 decommissioned Aegis-equipped warships and 400 Patriot missiles.
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However, Taiwan's Defense Minister Gu Li-hung said he was unaware of the reported plan and insisted the list could not have come from his agency, according to the South China Morning Post .
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said that Taiwan's purchase of weapons from the US is based on an assessment of enemy threats and on experience from recent global conflicts.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dai-loan-se-chi-hon-2-ti-usd-de-mua-vu-khi-my-trong-nam-toi-185241119094823801.htm
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