The United States has validated a sale to Taiwan worth $619 million of ammunition for its F-16 fighter jets. According to the Pentagon’s announcement, the sale, which may offend Beijing, includes 100 AGM-88B high-velocity anti-radar missiles (HARM), 200 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM), but also launchers and practice dummy missiles.
The sale will enhance “Taiwan’s ability to provide airspace defense, regional security, and interoperability with the United States,” the Pentagon said. It comes at a time when tensions between Washington and Beijing are at their highest, particularly over Taiwan, which Communist China threatens to take by force one day, because it considers the democratic island to be part of its territory.
The US State Department has separately indicated that the Pentagon’s announced arms sale is consistent with traditional US positions on Beijing and Taipei. “The United States’ support for Taiwan and the steps taken by this country to strengthen its self-defense capabilities contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and in the region,” said the Department of Foreign Affairs. State.
The Taiwanese government hailed the first arms sale announced by the United States this year, and the ninth under President Joe Biden. “In the face of China’s continued military expansion and provocative behavior, Taiwan will continue to actively improve its self-defense capabilities,” Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Jeff Liu said.
