US govt approves $2.4b in potential arms sales to Taiwan

WASHINGTON • The US State Department has approved the potential sales of three weapons systems to Taiwan, including sensors, missiles and artillery, that could have a total value of US$1.8 billion (S$2.4 billion), the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

Reuters reported last week that the White House was moving forward with five separate sales of sophisticated military equipment to Taiwan with a total value of around US$5 billion as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on China and concerns increase about Beijing's intentions towards Taiwan.

Among other weapons systems, Wednesday's formal notifications to Congress by the State Department were for 11 truck-based rocket launchers made by Lockheed Martin called a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, for an estimated cost of US$436.1 million.

The notifications also covered 135 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response Missiles and related equipment made by Boeing, for an estimated US$1.008 billion, and six MS-110 Recce external sensor pods made by Collins Aerospace for jets, at an estimated cost of US$367.2 million.

Further congressional notifications are expected to follow, including drones made by General Atomics as well as land-based Harpoon anti-ship missiles, made by Boeing, to serve as coastal defence cruise missiles.

Sources have said the 100 cruise missile stations and 400 missiles would cost about US$2 billion.

The formal notifications give the United States Congress 30 days to object to any sales, but this is unlikely given broad bipartisan support for the defence of Taiwan.

The defence and foreign ministries in Taiwan welcomed the news, saying the weapons would help improve defensive capabilities.

"This arms sale shows that the United States attaches great importance to the strategic position of the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait, and is actively assisting our country in strengthening our overall defence capabilities," Taiwan's Defence Ministry said.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province it has vowed to bring under control, by force if necessary. Washington considers it an important democratic outpost and is required by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but China's Foreign Ministry said last week that US arms sales to Taiwan severely damaged China's sovereignty and security interests.

It urged Washington to cancel the planned sales and warned that Beijing would "make a legitimate and necessary response according to how the situation develops."

REUTERS

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 23, 2020, with the headline US govt approves $2.4b in potential arms sales to Taiwan. Subscribe