US makes 3rd arms sale to Taiwan under Biden admin

ISTANBUL

The US under the Joe Biden administration has approved yet another arms sale to self-ruled Taiwan.

The arms sale “will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic progress in the region,” said the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in a statement on Tuesday night.

It added the arms sale “serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.”

The latest arms deal between Washington and Taipei amounts to “contractor technical assistance and related equipment for an estimated cost of $95 million,” the DSCA said.

This is the third such arms sale to Taiwan under the Biden administration since it came to power in January last year.

The Biden administration sold Taiwan the first consignment of arms last year in August for $750 million which included 40 Paladin M109A6 self-propelled howitzers.

US arms sales have triggered angry responses from Beijing which has often called on Washington to stop such practices. It has also sanctioned firms involved in such arms transfer to the island nation.

The second consignment of $100 million was made in early February this year.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the latest sale “fully demonstrated the US government’s high regard for Taiwan’s defense capabilities.”

The latest arms sale comes when the world is focused on the Russia-Ukraine war with observers also closely watching China’s moves regarding Taiwan, which it claims as “a breakaway province.”

Taipei, however, has insisted on its independence since 1949 and maintains diplomatic relations with at least 14 countries.