U.S. announces US$11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan

Taipei, Dec. 18 (CNA) The United States government on Wednesday announced the potential sale of eight arms packages to Taiwan, including HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank missiles, and drones, at an estimated total cost of US$11.1 billion.

It was the second announcement of arms sales to Taiwan by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump since he returned to the White House earlier this year, and the estimated US$11.1 billion package is bigger than the first one.

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The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which made the announcement, said it has delivered the required certifications notifying Congress of the sales, following approval by the U.S. State Department.

Once the U.S. Congress approves the arms sales during a mandatory review period of around 30 days, a formal contract will be signed by Taiwan and the U.S. and the sales will commence, according to Taiwan's military.

On Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) expressed appreciation for Washington's continued efforts to help Taiwan maintain adequate self-defense capabilities under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

Five of the eight arms packages -- the M109A7 howitzers, HIMARS rocket systems, TOW 2B anti-tank missiles, anti-armor drones, and FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles -- are covered in an NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.85 billion) special defense budget put forth last month by the Taiwan government, pending lawmakers' review.

According to the DSCA, the latest arms package also includes Harpoon missile repair follow-on support; tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile systems; AH-1W helicopter spare and repair parts; and Tactical Mission Network Software.

The sales will improve Taiwan's ability to meet current and future threats by enhancing the self-defense of its forces and will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the DSCA said.

In a statement issued Thursday, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) thanked Washington for the proposed arms sale, saying that it demonstrates the U.S.' commitment to enhancing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, as highlighted in the National Security Strategy Washington released earlier this month.