US Approves $11 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan

The US government has approved an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan. This is the second arms package sale since Donald Trump returned to power.

This is the most significant sale since 2001, when George W. Bush approved the delivery of $18 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan. The eight contracts include Himars multiple rocket launcher systems, howitzers, anti-tank missiles, drones, and spare parts.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te announced plans to increase defense spending to more than 3% of GDP by 2026 and to 5% by 2030.

Beijing claims the island as part of its territory and threatens to retake it by force. Guo Zhijun, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, called on the US to stop arming Taiwan.

Washington approved an initial arms sale to Taiwan in November, involving "components and spare parts, as well as support for the repair and return of F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft" for $330 million.

Source: AΠΕ-ΜΠΕ