Summary
- The US is bound by law to provide arms to Taiwan, despite lacking formal diplomatic ties.
- China is increasing military pressure on Taiwan.
- Taiwan expects the arms sales to improve F-16 readiness and strengthen its defense capabilities.
- Taiwan’s president will leave for Hawaii on Saturday.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department has authorized the potential sale of spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar systems to Taiwan, valued at approximately $385 million, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
This approval comes one day before Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te embarks on a sensitive diplomatic trip across the Pacific. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, U.S. law mandates the provision of defense support to Taiwan, a stance that continues to provoke strong opposition from Beijing.
Taiwan, a democratically governed nation, rejects China’s claims of sovereignty.
China has increased military pressure on Taiwan, conducting two rounds of war games this year. Security sources told Reuters that Beijing may hold additional exercises to coincide with Lai’s Pacific tour, which includes stops in Hawaii and Guam, a U.S. territory.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that the sale includes $320 million worth of spare parts and support for F-16 fighters, Active Electronically Scanned Array radars, and related equipment.
The State Department also approved the potential sale of upgraded mobile subscriber equipment and support to Taiwan, valued at an estimated $65 million, according to the Pentagon. General Dynamics will serve as the principal contractor for the sale.
Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that it expects the sales to “take effect” within a month. The equipment will help maintain the readiness of the F-16 fleet and “strengthen a credible defense force.”
In a statement, it said, “Taiwan and the United States will continue to strengthen their security partnership and collaborate to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.”
Last month, the United States revealed a potential $2 billion arms sale package to Taiwan, which includes the first-ever delivery of an advanced air defense missile system to the island, a system that has been battle-tested in Ukraine.
Lai will depart for Hawaii on Saturday for what is officially a stopover en route to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—three of the 12 countries that still maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. He will also make a stop in Guam. Both Hawaii and Guam host significant U.S. military bases. On Friday, China urged the United States to exercise “utmost caution” in its dealings with Taiwan.
