A record-breaking arms package. The US will sell weapons to Taiwan for $10 billion

The US Department of State on Wednesday approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a record amount of over $10 billion, according to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The package includes, among others: HIMARS systems, self-propelled howitzers, Javelin missiles and drones.

DSCA announced its approval of eight separate transactions totaling over $10 billion. The equipment that Taiwan is to purchase includes 82 HIMARS rocket artillery system launchers with over a thousand missiles, 60 M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, over a thousand Javelin and TOW anti-tank missiles, Altius kamikaze drones, parts for AH-1W helicopters, parts for Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and a communications and command system.

“The proposed sale will improve the recipient's ability to meet current and future threats by strengthening the self-defense of its armed forces,” the release said.

Taiwan on Wednesday thanked the United States for agreeing to sell weapons, promising to use them, among others, for: to modernize its forces.

“Our country will continue to promote defense reforms, strengthen the defense resilience of the entire society, demonstrate our determination in self-defense and protect peace through strength,” Taiwanese presidential office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

Wednesday's move is the first such clear gesture of support for Taiwan from the Trump administration in its second term. So far, the president has spoken ambiguously about Taiwanaccusing the island of, among others, “stealing” the semiconductor industry. After his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, Trump said that he did not talk to Xi about Taiwan because Xi knows what his position is and what he will do if China decides to attack the island. He also claimed that the Chinese leader would not dare to take such a step.

Officially, the White House has maintained its current policy towards Taiwan, according to which Washington does not support the independence of a de facto independent state, but opposes changing the status quo by force.

From Washington Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

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