Taiwan revealed that the United States plans to sell several more weapons systems, with at least four arms agreements still awaiting notification to the U.S. Congress after last month’s announcement of the largest arms sale package ever.
Hsu Tzu-chien, Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of National Defense, disclosed this information on Thursday, 15 January, during an interview with reporters in Taipei after the weekly cabinet meeting. He stated that despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the U.S. remains Taiwan’s main security supporter and principal arms supplier. Currently, there are at least four arms agreements pending legal notification to the U.S. Congress, but he could not provide further details.
Hsu emphasized that Taiwan needs to increase its military budget due to the continuously growing threats. This announcement comes after the U.S. declared an $11 billion arms sale package last month, marking the highest value ever.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to media inquiries as it was outside office hours in Washington.
The arms sale agreements announced in December cover eight types of weapons and equipment, including Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS multiple rocket launch system and the Altius loitering attack drones.
Previously, in November, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen announced plans to increase defense spending by an additional $40 billion through 2033 to reaffirm Taiwan’s commitment to self-defense amid rising threats from China.
However, Taiwan’s opposition party, which holds the parliamentary majority, has not yet allowed the budget bill to proceed to the committee stage, citing a lack of clear details and requesting further information. It is reported that Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo is scheduled to provide a confidential briefing to legislators on Monday.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government under President Donald Trump has actively supported Taiwan’s plan to increase military spending, similar to its push for European allies to boost their defense budgets.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects China’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan, emphasizing that only the Taiwanese people have the right to decide their own future.
/source:channelnewsasia
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