The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on Friday that the US Department of State has approved the sale of equipment worth $300 million to assist in supporting tactical information systems in Taiwan, marking the latest American aid to the island's defense systems.
The United States is legally committed to providing Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, with means of defense. Arms sales have repeatedly been a source of tension between Washington and Beijing.
According to the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the sale is aimed at continuing to support the evolution cycle to maintain leadership, control, communication, and computing capabilities in Taiwan.
It further stated that the support will enhance Taiwan's ability to counter current and future threats by bolstering operational readiness and maintaining existing leadership, control, communication, and computing capabilities while providing secure flow of tactical information.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense stated that the sale will help maintain the efficiency of joint combat systems for command and control, enabling them to enhance battlefield awareness.
The ministry stated that the frequent military operations conducted by the Chinese Communists around Taiwan represent a serious threat to the country, and it expects the sale to be "implemented" within a month, expressing gratitude to the United States. The sale is expected to proceed after notifying the US Congress.
The Taiwan Presidential Office noted that this deal, the twelfth arms sale by President Joe Biden's administration to Taipei, highlights the US government's significant emphasis on the island's defense needs.
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