WASHINGTON — The Biden administration approved a new $360 million arms sale on Tuesday TaiwanThe State Department has deployed hundreds of armed drones, missile equipment and related support materials to the island, the State Department said in a statement sure to draw condemnation from China.
The announcement was not unexpected, but comes at a time of high tension between Washington and Beijingwhich considers Taiwan part of its territory and has pledged to consolidate by force if necessary.
The sale includes 291 Altius-600M systems, which are unmanned aerial vehicles or drones with nuclear warheads. It also includes 720 Switchblade drones, known as “long-range loitering munitions,” the State Department said.
It said the sale “serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continued efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive capability.” It will “help improve the recipient’s security and help maintain political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region,” the ministry said.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te thanked the US for approving the latest arms sale to Taiwan during a press conference Wednesday in Taipei. He said such authorizations help maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
“In the future, we will continue to strengthen Taiwan’s national defense strength, either through military purchases or through our own efforts,” he said.
The US statement claimed that the latest arms transfer would not affect the military balance in the region. The announcement was not unusual, although the US and China have tried to smooth tense relations in recent months.
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Associated Press writer Simina Mistreanu in Taipei, Taiwan contributed to this report.