The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $1.1 billion sale of military equipment to Taiwan, including 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles, the Pentagon said on Friday.
In response to China’s aggressive military exercises around the island and Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last month (she was the highest-ranking American politician to go there in years), the package was announced.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency at the Pentagon says that the sale includes Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for about $85.6 million, Harpoon Missiles and related equipment for about $355 million, and support for Taiwan’s surveillance radar programme and related equipment for about $665.4 million.
The decision shows that President Joe Biden’s administration will continue to back Taiwan despite pressure from China, which has never ruled out using force to take over the democratically run island.
People’s Republic of China has no legal claim to the island, according to Taipei, because it has never ruled it.
