The US has approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including its first delivery to the self-ruled island of an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, in a move sure to anger China. Taiwan's presidential office on Saturday thanked the US for greenlighting the potential arms sales. Under the island's new president, Lai Ching-te, Taiwan has been stepping up defense measures as China increases its military threats against the territory it claims as its own, the AP reports. Beijing last week held war games encircling Taiwan for the second time since Lai took office in May.
The US is Taiwan's strongest unofficial ally, and its laws bound it to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. "Strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities is the foundation for maintaining regional stability," Taiwan's presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said. The potential sales package includes three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and related equipment valued at up to $1.16 billion, according to the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. It also includes radar systems costing an estimated $828 million.
The NASAMS system has been battle-tested in Ukraine and will help to strengthen the Taiwanese army's air defense capabilities, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said. China's war games last week were aimed at practicing the "sealing off of key ports and key areas" around Taiwan, according to Chinese officials. Taiwan counted a record one-day total of 153 aircraft, 14 navy vessels, and 12 Chinese government ships.
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