WASHINGTON – The State Department announced an approved $11.1 billion package of arms sales to Taiwan. The package includes medium-range missiles, howitzers, and drones.
The announcement arrived late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump.
The approved sales are meant to aid Taipei’s efforts to “modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.” The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency affirmed.
The eight arms sale covers “82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) and 420 Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS),” according to NPR. “They also include 60 self-propelled howitzer systems and related equipment worth more than $4 billion and drones valued at more than $1 billion.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Thursday that the U.S.’ aims to arm Taiwan would backfire. Jiakun continued by claiming that Taiwan was “squandering its people’s hard-earned money to buy weapons and turning Taiwan into a powder keg.”
Additionally, the package contains military software worth more than $1 billion, TOW and Javelin Missiles worth over $700 million, Harpoon missile refurbishment kits valued at $91 million, and helicopter spare parts worth $96 million.
The State Department issued a statement similar to the Pentagon’s. “The proposed sale(s) will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region,” the statement added.
Federal law obligates the U.S. to aid Taiwan with its self-defense. With China vowing to take Taiwan by force, if necessary, tensions between the nations draw concern.
In a statement on Thursday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry expressed gratitude to the U.S. Stating the aid would help Taiwan maintain “sufficient self defense capabilities” and foster strong deterrent strength.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also thanked the U.S. Praising the nation for its “long-term support for regional security and Taiwan’s defense capabilities.”
Last month, the Taiwanese President announced a $40 billion budget for arms purchases. The budget also includes an air defense system with high-level detection and interception capacities called the Taiwan Dome. The budget is set to be allocated from 2026 to 2033.
