US approves largest arms sale to The weapons package for Taiwan is valued at more than $10 billion and includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones
A rocket practice round is launched from a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a testing drill in Pingtung County, Southern Taiwan
Taiwan’s government has vowed to ramp up defense spending as China maintains military pressure around the islandImage: Chiang Ying-ying/AP Photo/picture alliance
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The United States on Wednesday announced an arms sales package worth $11.1 billion (€9.45 billion) for Taiwan, making it the largest ever US weapons package for the island.
The State Department announced the arms sales package as US President Donald Trump made a televised address.
The move is likely to irk China which claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
The arms deal comes after Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung made a low-profile trip to the Washington-area last week, which was reported by Taiwanese and Asian media.
The US State Department said the sales serve “US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.”
