WASHINGTON: The United States has authorized the sale of nearly $ 100 million of Taiwan’s equipment and services to “support, maintain, and improve” the Patriot missile system used by private individuals. a Chinese-dominated island, the Pentagon said Monday.
A statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had submitted the required certificate of notification to Congress following the approval of the State Department of Trade, requested by the Taiwanese embassy in Washington.
The development of the Patriot Air Defense System “will help improve recipient safety and help maintain political stability, military equity, economy and regional progress,” the DSCA statement said. >
“This proposed sale serves the interests of the US state, economy, and security by supporting the recipient’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a reliable defense force,” the agency said.
The main contractors will be Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin, he said.
The Taiwan Defense Department said a decision to acquire new Patriot missiles was made during a 2019 meeting with U.S. officials. in the administration of President Donald Trump.
The democratic island has complained about the repeated deployment of the Chinese air force into its air defense zone, part of what Washington sees as Beijing’s attempt to pressure Taipei to accept its sovereignty.
The United States, like many 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 pushing for Taiwan to upgrade its troops to become a “scapegoat”, which is difficult for China to attack, and such arms sales are always annoying China.
China’s ambassador to the United States last month said the two powerful countries could end up in a military conflict if Washington promotes Taiwan’s independence.
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