The United States has approved a $ 100m sale of equipment and services in Taiwan to “support, maintain, and improve” the Patriot missile defense system operated by China’s autonomous island, the Pentagon said.
A statement issued by the US Security Co-operation Center on Monday said it had submitted the required certificate of notification to Congress following the approval of the country’s trade department, requested by the Taiwanese embassy in Washington.
The development of the Patriot air defense system “will help improve the recipient’s safety and help maintain political stability, military equity, economy and regional progress”, the DSCA statement said.
“This proposed sale serves the U.S. national, economic, and security support by supporting the recipient’s ongoing efforts to modernize its forces and maintain a reliable defense force,” the organization said.
The main contractors will be Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin, he said.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said the decision to acquire new Patriot arrows was made at a 2019 meeting with U.S. officials in the administration of President Donald Trump.
The democratic island has lamented the repeated missions of the Chinese military in its air defense zone, part of what Washington sees as Beijing’s attempt to pressure Taipei to accept its sovereignty.
The United States, like other countries, does not have a formal relationship with Taiwan, but Washington is its main supporter and is legally obliged to provide security measures.
U.S. officials have been pressuring Taiwan to turn its military into a modern-day “genocide”, which is difficult for China to attack, and such arms sales have always angered China.
China’s ambassador to the United States last month said two major powers could end up in a military coup if Washington promotes Taiwan’s independence.