US approves largest-ever Taiwan arms package, worth $14.3b

The US on Dec 17 approved US$i11 billion (S$14.33 billion) in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest US weapons package for the island, which is under increasing military pressure from China.

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The Taiwan arms sale announcement is the second under US President Donald Trump's current administration, and comes as Beijing ramps up its military and diplomatic pressure against Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The proposed arms sale covers eight items, including the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), howitzers, Javelin antitank missiles, Altius loitering munition drones and parts for other equipment, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said.

“The United States continues to assist Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defence capabilities and in rapidly building strong deterrent power and leveraging asymmetric warfare advantages, which form the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability,” it added.

The ministry said the package is at the Congressional notification stage, which is where the US Congress has a chance to block or alter the sale should it wish, though Taiwan has widespread cross-party support.

In a series of separate statements announcing details of the weapons deal, the Pentagon said the arms sales serve US national, economic and security interests by supporting Taiwan’s continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a “credible defensive capability”.