The United States has approved a possible $95 million sale of military equipment, training, and other items to Taiwan to boost the self-ruled island’s air defenses, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) said it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale, which was requested by the Taipei Economic Cultural Representative Office in Washington.
Taiwan’s presidential office said that this was the third arms deal announced since President Joe Biden took office, demonstrating the “rock-solid” nature of the countries’ relationship.
“Taiwan will continue to demonstrate its determination to defend itself, and continue to deepen cooperative partnerships with the United States and other like-minded countries,” Taiwanese spokesperson Xavier Chang said.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it expected the deal to “become effective” within the month.
It stated that the proposed sale will help improve Taiwan’s security and support “maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region.”
“The proposed sale will help to sustain the recipient’s missile density and ensure readiness for air operations. The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense,” DCSA said.
“The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” it added.
The Pentagon said that the main contractor for the possible sale would be Raytheon Technologies.
The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties and the anger such weapons sales always generate in Beijing.
Reuters contributed to this report.