US Announces Arms Sales Of Advanced Missiles And Radar Equipment To Taiwan

On Sep. 2nd, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued three statements, saying that the State Department approved the sale of $1.1 billion of military weapons to Taiwan and that DSCA notified Congress of this potential arms sale. 

 The package would include $355 million for 60 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles capable of tracking and sinking warships, $85.6 million for 100 Sidewinder missiles used for air-to-air and surface-attack missions, and $665.4 million to maintain and upgrade the surveillance radar system that has been in operation since 2013.

 DSCA believed the proposed sale serves US economic, national, and security interests by supporting Taiwan’s continued efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain defense capabilities, and helps maintain political stability, military balance, and economic development in the region.

 Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense expects the potential arms sales, saying the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persistent military harassment has posed a serious national security threat to the island. The sale proposal will strengthen Taipei’s ability to counter the CCP’s naval and air forces threats and maximize the effectiveness of the long-range missile warning system.