Sat Nov 30 17:44:43 UTC 2024: ## US Approves $385 Million Arms Sale to Taiwan, Sparking Fresh Tensions with China
**Washington, D.C. –** The United States has approved a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan, marking the 18th such sale under the Biden administration. The package, announced Friday by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), includes spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar systems, as well as communications equipment. The sale comprises existing US military stock and is intended to maintain Taiwan’s defensive capabilities.
The DSCA stated that the sale is in the US national, economic, and security interests, supporting Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and counter potential threats. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025. A separate $65 million sale for tactical communications system support was also approved.
The announcement comes as Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is embarking on a trip to Pacific island allies, with stopovers in Hawaii and Guam. Taiwan’s defense ministry expressed gratitude for the arms sale, emphasizing its importance in maintaining the combat readiness of its air force.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, vehemently opposes US arms sales to the island. The announcement has further escalated tensions, with China already increasing military pressure on Taiwan through near-daily incursions by fighter jets and warships. On Saturday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported the detection of 18 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and two balloons near its territory. The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry stressed Taiwan’s commitment to bolstering its defenses in the face of increasing Chinese pressure.
First Piper 