The U.S. Announced a $1.1 billion Arms Package to Taiwan

The United States, on September 2nd, announced a $1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, angering China. The sales came after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) unleashed military drills near Island Nation after the visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Spokesperson for the State Department said the package is essential for Taiwan’s security over Beijing’s threats of invasion. The U.S. approved its biggest arms package to Taiwan under Biden’s administration. The package includes $665 million for contract support to maintain and upgrade Raytheon early radar warning system that can warn of any incoming attacks, which has been in operation since 2013. Taiwan will also spend $335 million on 60 Harpoon Block II missiles, which can sink any incoming vessels. In addition, the deal also includes $85.6 million for more than 100 Sidewinder missiles, a mainstay of Western militaries for their air-to-air firepower.

Taiwan thanked the U.S. for its continued support for the Island’s security and defense. The U.S. announcement came just after the Taiwanese soldiers shot down CCP’s unidentified commercial drone.

Soon after the announcement, China asked the U.S. to revoke arms sales with Taiwan. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said, “It sends wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and severely jeopardizes China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” He also added that “China will resolutely take legitimate and necessary counter-measures in light of the development of the situation.”

This arms package deal will surely boost Taiwan’s force to defend against any possible invasion from China.