WASHINGTON: The United States has agreed to the possibility of sales of equipment and services of $ 100 million to Taiwan to “maintain, maintain, and improve” the patriot missile defense system used by the island managed by China which is claimed by China, said Pentagon on Monday.
The statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had delivered the certification needed to notify Congress after the Department of Finance approval for sales, requested by the De Facto Taiwan Embassy in Washington.
Increasing to the Patriot Air Defense System will “help improve the security of the recipient and help maintain political stability, military, economic and progress balance in the region,” DSCA said in a statement.
“This proposed sale presents US national, economic and security interests by supporting sustainable recipient efforts to modernize the armed forces and maintain credible defensive abilities,” the body said.
The main contractor is Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin, he said.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it was “very welcoming” the decision.
“In the face of military expansion and sustainable Chinese provocative actions, our country will maintain its national security with a solid defense, and continue to deepen the close security partnerships between Taiwan and the United States,” he said in a statement.
The Taiwanese defense ministry said the decision to obtain newer patriot missiles was carried out during the 2019 meeting with US officials in the administration of President Donald Trump.
The ministry said the agreement was expected to “start apply” in one month.
Democratically arranged islands have complained of repeated mission by the Chinese Air Force in the Air Defense Zone, part of what Washington saw as Beijing’s effort to pressure Taipei to receive its sovereignty.
The United States, like most countries, has no official relationship with Taiwan, but Washington is the biggest supporter and is bound by the law to provide it by defending themselves.
US officials have encouraged Taiwan to modernize their military so that it can be “hedgehog,” it is difficult for China to attack, and sales of such weapons are always angry China.
The Chinese Ambassador to the United States said last month that two super powers could end in military conflict if Washington encouraged Taiwan’s independence.