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US approves potential $1.1bn weapons sale to Taiwan | Military News


The potential sale of anti-ship and air-to-surface missiles to Taiwan comes amid heightened tensions between the US and China.

The Pentagon announced that the United States has approved a $1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, in a move that is likely to exacerbate already-raised tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Friday said the weapons package would include 60 anti-ship missiles, 100 air-to-air missiles and logistics support contractor for a surveillance radar program.

American news agency Politico first report earlier this week about a potential US arms deal. While Congress could still reject the sale, it is unlikely to do so as US lawmakers from both major parties are strongly pro-Taiwan.

A spokesman for the US State Department, which approved the purchase, said the package was “necessary for Taiwan’s security”.

“These proposed sales are a regular occurrence in support of Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a reliable defense capability,” the spokesperson said. trust”.

The Pentagon’s statement comes amid strained relations between the US and China, not ruling out the use of force to gain control of Taiwan, an autonomous island that China considers part of. its territory.

By law, the United States must provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and President Joe Biden has said Washington will use force to defend the island if it is attacked.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated over the past few years due to the US competitive strategic priority toward China in its foreign policy under former President Donald Trump, a view fully embraced by Biden.

Meanwhile, China has warning the Biden administration that it is “playing with fire” over Taiwan.

China holds unprecedented military exercises in the sea and in the air around the following island a controversial visit last month by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Beijing has threatened “serious consequences” if Pelosi – the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years – goes ahead her visit.

On Thursday, Taiwan’s military said it shoot down An unidentified civilian drone entered its airspace near the remote Kinmen islands, located next to the Chinese city of Xiamen.

While China accused Taiwan of trying to “increase tensions” over the incident, Taiwanese Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang protect military action is “appropriate” after multiple warnings.

Su told reporters that Taiwan has repeatedly asked China “not to encroach on our threshold”.

“They kept ignoring our warnings to leave and we had no choice but to defend ourselves and shoot,” Su said. “This is the most appropriate response after much restraint and warning.”

A US State Department spokesman on Friday said Washington “will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan”.

“We urge Beijing to end military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogues with Taiwan,” the spokesperson said.



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