The United States has approved a $385 million arms sale to the island nation.
This deal includes spare parts for F-16 fighter jets, radar systems, and communications equipment, with deliveries expected to commence in 2025.
The decision comes at a time of heightened military pressure from China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and has consistently opposed US arms sales to the island.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the US remains Taiwan's most crucial ally and largest arms supplier.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated, "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."
Taiwan's defense ministry expressed gratitude for the sale, emphasizing that it will "help maintain the combat readiness of the Air Force’s F-16 aircraft equipment and bolster our air defense."
This marks the 18th arms sale to Taiwan under President Joe Biden's administration, highlighting the ongoing commitment to strengthening Taiwan's defenses against China's military threats and "grey zone harassment," a term used to describe tactics that fall short of open warfare.
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