DEFENSE / U.S. approves potential US$330 million arms sale to Taiwan

Taipei, Nov. 14 (CNA) The United States government on Thursday announced a possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet spare and repair parts, at an estimated cost of US$330 million.

It was the first announcement of an arms sale to Taiwan since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year.

The proposed package includes non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support for F-16, C-130, and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement.

It also includes U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support, the DSCA said.

The DSCA has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the sale, after the proposal was approved by the State Department, according to the statement.

It said the proposed sale is consistent with U.S. law and policy.

"This proposed sale serves U.S. 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 DSCA said. "The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region."

In a statement issued Friday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense expressed its appreciation to the U.S. for its continued efforts to help Taiwan maintain adequate self-defense capabilities under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

The latest sale will help the Taiwan Air Force maintain combat readiness and strengthen air defense, while also boosting Taiwan's defense resilience and its ability to respond to China's gray-zone coercion, the ministry said.