US State Dep’t Approves US$500 Million Arms Sale to Taiwan

 US State Dep’t Approves US$500 Million Arms Sale to Taiwan

Source: UDN

April 17, 2019

In a press release issued on April 15, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) pointed out that the US State Department had made a determination approving a proposed arms sale to Taiwan for the continuation of a pilot training program and maintenance/logistics support for F-16 aircraft currently at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, for an estimated cost of US$500 million. The DSCA already delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this proposed sale.

The press release indicated that this proposed sale would support the US’ foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security and defensive capabilities of the recipient (Taiwan), which had been and continued to be an important force for political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.

A US State Department official pointed out in an email response to queries from the United Daily News that the US’ approval of the arms sale to Taiwan was in line with the Taiwan Relations Act and demonstrated the US’ support for Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities. The official also reiterated that nothing had changed about the US "one-China" policy, which was based on the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act. New F-16V fighters were not included in the proposed arms sale to Taiwan this time, the same source stressed.

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