Taiwan arms boost: US approves US$500 million in F-16 sensor systems for island’s defence
- Latest sale of infrared search-and track equipment built by Lockheed Martin deepens interoperability with American fighter-jet programme
- Functionality is unique in not emitting its own radiation, enhancing the lethality and survivability of aircrews
The deal includes F-16 infrared search-and-track systems and related equipment at an estimated cost of US$500 million, according to the statement. Congress was officially notified of the sale on Wednesday, it added.
The US in 2019 approved a US$8 billion sale of 66 F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, a deal taking the island’s F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets by 2026, the largest in Asia.
In March, the Biden administration approved the sale of an estimated US$619 million in arms to Taiwan, including hundreds of missiles for F-16 fighter jets.
The advanced sensor system functionality on offer can detect and track threats at long ranges and is unique in that it does not emit radiation, thus enhancing the lethality and survivability of aircrews.
Yet the deal would not alter the region’s basic military balance, according to the statement.
Taiwan aimed to complete its upgrade of 141 F-16A/B fighter jets by the end of this year, Tsai also said on Monday.
To Beijing, Taiwan is a breakaway province to be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. It opposes any official interaction between Taipei and Washington as well as American arms sales to the island.
But under the Biden administration, such transactions have taken place more frequently and quickly.
The State Department statement on Wednesday said the deal arose from a request by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington – Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the US.
It said the sale included aircraft and munitions support, training equipment, personnel training and related logistical and programme support.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In response to previous US weapons sales to Taiwan, Beijing urged Washington to stop selling arms to the island, saying they “could lead to tensions” and “pose risks to peace” in the Taiwan Strait.
Additional reporting by Mark Magnier in New York