Taiwan's government on Thursday expressed thanks to the United States for approving the sale of up to US$619 million in munitions and related equipment for F-16 fighter jets, amid the growing military threat posed by China.
The arms package, the ninth approved for Taiwan by U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, will help boost the combat readiness of Taiwan's Air Force, as the Chinese People's Liberation Army continues its incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a statement.
Expressing its "sincere gratitude" for the deal, the MND said it illustrates Washington's commitment to ensuring that Taipei has the capability to defend itself, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and "six assurances."
The arms sales are likely to be formally confirmed by the U.S. Congress within a month, according to the MND.
The MND's statement came after the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Wednesday that Taiwan's request for the supply of a new US$619 million arms package had been granted.
The package will include 100 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), 23 HARM training missiles, 200 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections and 26 LAU-129 multi-purpose launchers, the DSCA said.
Other munitions and equipment in the package will include LAU-118A missile launchers with Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC), HARM missile containers, AIM-120 control sections and containers, AIM-120C Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), dummy air training missiles (DATM), integration and test support and equipment, and other related elements of logistical and program support, according to the DSCA.
The proposed sale will contribute to regional security and Taiwan's capability in the defense of its airspace and interoperability with the United States but will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the DSCA said.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the approval of the arms package by Biden's administration "fully demonstrated the U.S. government's high regard for Taiwan's defense capabilities."
Amid China's increasing aggression, Taiwan will continue to improve its defensive capabilities and, through close security cooperation with the U.S., will maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait and contribute to the long-term peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region, MOFA said.
