The largest since 2001… Washington agrees to an arms deal to Taiwan worth $11 billion
Taipei announced on Thursday that the US government had approved the second arms deal to Taiwan since Donald Trump’s return to power, worth $11.1 billion, in response to The potential Chinese threat.
This deal is the largest since 2001, when George W. Bush agreed to hand over Weapons for Taiwan worth $18 billion.
Preparing for the Chinese invasion
The Taiwanese president was "Lai Qing" T had announced last month that his government would propose increasing defense spending by $40 billion over several years, as the island seeks to protect itself from a possible Chinese invasion.
According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the eight contracts announced Thursday include HIMARS missile systems and howitzers And anti-tank missiles, drones, and spare parts for other equipment.
The ministry confirmed that this is the second arms deal for Taiwan announced during the second term of the Trump administration, which reaffirms the United States’ firm commitment to the island’s security.
After the approval of the US State Department, the deal is still awaiting congressional approval, and is expected to enter into force within about a month, according to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense.
The Legislative Yuan, which is the one-chamber parliament, must also The one on the island, which is controlled by the opposition Kuomintang party and its ally, the Taiwan People’s Party, approved these contracts.
The United States does not officially recognize Taiwan’s independence, but it is the island’s main partner and supplier of weapons.
In 2019, Washington approved arms deals worth $10 billion, including $8 billion for combat aircraft.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory, and has not ruled out using its armed forces to annex it, which It is subjecting the island to intense military, economic and diplomatic pressure.
Increase defense spending
Lai Ching-te has indicated plans to increase defense spending to more than 3% of GDP by 2026 and 5% by 2030, in response to US demands in this regard.
Despite having its own defense industry, Taiwan still relies heavily on US weapons to counter Chinese firepower.
In November, Washington approved a first arms deal to Taiwan worth $330 million, including "Components, spare parts and accessories, as well as support for the repair and reuse of F-16, C-130 and Chengku fighters."This is according to a statement issued by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
China deploys military aircraft and warships around Taiwan on an almost daily basis, in what experts and the Taiwanese government describe as tactics "Gray area"These maneuvers carry a restraining nature but are not considered acts of war.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense announced that 40 Chinese military aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters and drones, were monitored, in addition to eight warships in the vicinity of Taiwan between Wednesday and Thursday morning.
According to the Taiwanese authorities, the third and newest Chinese aircraft carrier, Fujian, crossed the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday.
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