US greenlights $2 billion arms deal for Taiwan

(Dan Tri) - The US approved a $2 billion arms deal to Taiwan amid rising tensions in the region.

NASAMS air defense system (Photo: Kongsberg).

The United States has approved a $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the Pentagon said on October 25.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the weapons package includes missile systems worth $1.16 billion and radar systems worth an estimated $828 million. The prime contractor for the missile systems will be RTX Corp.

"This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's (Taiwan's) continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive capability," the statement said.

"The proposed sale will improve the security of the recipient and help maintain political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region," the Pentagon stressed.

The missile systems in the deal are NASAMS and the advanced AMRAAM extended-range surface-to-air missile. According to Reuters, NASAMS is a new weapon for Taiwan. In the region, only Australia and Indonesia operate this system.

Taiwan's defense ministry supported the US announcement, saying that NASAMS would help strengthen Taiwan's air defense capabilities in the face of China's frequent military exercises in recent times.

The United States, although it has no formal relations with Taiwan, is the island's top economic and military partner.

China considers Taiwan an inalienable part of its territory that must be reunited at all costs, including by force. Beijing has in recent years stepped up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan, while demanding that the United States respect the One China principle.

China has not commented on the new US announcement, but in previous times, Beijing has strongly criticized Washington for providing weapons to Taiwan.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/my-bat-den-xanh-thuong-vu-vu-khi-2-ty-usd-cho-dai-loan-20241026152544949.htm