US Approves $180M Anti-Tank Weapons Sale to Taiwan.
The US State Department approved on Wednesday the sale of $180 million of anti-tank vehicle systems launched by vehicles to Taiwan according to the Pentagon declared, the most recent agreement on weapons between the autonomous island and its principal allies.
Taiwan will get Volcano anti-tank munition-laying devices as well as cargo trucks, ammunition logistics support packages as well as a host of other services that are part of the agreement, as per an official Pentagon statement.
“This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” the statement stated.
US to Sell Taiwan Anti-Tank System Amid Rising China Threat
Beijing asserts that it is a democratically-run Taiwan as a part of its territory. It is expected to be eventually taken and has been more aggressive with Taiwan under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.
US approves $180 million sale of vehicle-launched anti-tank systems to Taiwanhttps://t.co/6WOEdYwYJ7
— The Defense Post (@DefensePost) December 29, 2022
The country has responded with increasing discontent over visits from US and other foreign officials this year. It also staged large military exercises to protest US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan on August 25, which sent tensions to their highest in recent years.
US president Joe Biden signed into law an act to increase defense spending last week , which provided the possibility of up to 10 billion dollars in grants aid to Taiwan.
The bill allows the government to provide up to $2 billion a year to provide aid to Taiwan from 2023 until 2027.
Beijing expressed its displeasure over the bill’s passage earlier through China that in response to the bill’s earlier passage by the US House of Representatives it was “firmly opposed to the US using the National Defense Authorization Act to pass negative content related to China.”
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported on Monday that China had sent 71 warplanes for weekend-long military exercises in Taiwan including dozens of fighter aircraft.
The aircraft was responsible for one of the most significant daily incursions into Taiwan’s airspace.
The Chinese military described the exercise as a “strike drill,” conducted in response to unknown “provocations” and “collusion” between the United States and the self-ruled island.
The US statement regarding the recent arms deal said that Taiwan’s purchase of new anti-tank weapons will “not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
“The proposed sale will improve the recipient’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in regional operations,” the statement reads.
