TAIPEI – The United States has an obligation to fulfil its backlog of arms sales to Taiwan and there is a bipartisan effort to ensure this happens, the vice-chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said on Friday during a trip to Taipei.
Since 2022, Taiwan has complained of delays to deliveries of US weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers turned supplies to Ukraine, which is battling invading Russian forces. The issue has concerned some US lawmakers and officials too.
Meeting Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential office in Taipei, Mr Rob Wittman, who also sits on the US House of Representatives’ select committee on China, said Taiwan was making an “incredible effort” for its own self-defence, including extending conscription.
“We have an obligation to make sure that we fill the backlog of foreign military sales that exists now between our countries,” he said.
“I can tell you that members of the House on both sides of the aisle are focused on making sure this US$19 billion (S$25.7 billion) backlog in foreign military sales gets fulfilled.”
Taiwan’s defence ministry, in a report to parliament on its ongoing five-year planning review, a copy of which Reuters reviewed on Friday, called for solutions to the delivery problems and noted the “increased threats from the Chinese communists”.
The ministry said it will propose “multiple ways” to the United States to obtain weapons.
“For weapons and equipment that cannot be delivered on schedule, the United States is requested to take the initiative to contact other suppliers or allies to help our country obtain equipment for combat power immediately.”
The ministry mapped out the weapons it aimed to bring into service, including the upgraded Patriot PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles and Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars.
The US, Taiwan's most important arms supplier, in July announced a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to US$345 million.
Last week, the US also approved a possible US$500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment.
The US, like most countries, has no formal relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but is its most important international supporter and arms supplier.
Mr Wittman, accompanied by four other Republican lawmakers, gave reassurance of US support.
“President Tsai, know that any... hostile, unprovoked attack on Taiwan will result in a resolute reaction from the United States,” he said.
While the US has long followed a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on whether it would intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack, US President Joe Biden has said he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan.
Ms Tsai told the US delegation that Taiwan looked forward to coordinating with the US and other democratic partners to jointly defend regional stability and prosperity. REUTERS
