Taiwan views US approval of US$100 million Patriot missile service deal as show of support in face of Beijing

Name: Taiwan holds urban, aerial combat drills amid threats of invasion by mainland China
Uploaded: 2022-02-08T06:25:26.000Z
Duration: 2 min 19 s
Description: Taiwan holds urban, aerial combat drills amid threats of invasion by mainland China

US government approves sale of equipment and services to Taiwan to ‘sustain, maintain, and improve’ Patriot missile defence system

Proposed sale seen to help sustain island’s missile density and enable it to strengthen homeland defence

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Taiwan’s US-made Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries are on show in Taipei in 2007. The Biden administration has approved a US$100 million support contract with Taiwan aimed at boosting the island’s missile defense systems as it faces increasing pressure from China. Photo: AP Photo

Lawrence Chung

Published: 2:25pm, 8 Feb 2022Updated: 4:33pm, 8 Feb 2022

Washington’s approval of a possible US$100 million deal to upgrade Taiwan’s Patriot missile defence system reflects the US’ willingness to help Taipei arm itself against growing military threats from Beijing, Taiwan said on Tuesday.

Taiwan also hailed the approval as part of US commitments to boost the self-ruled island’s defence and security amid mounting tension in the Taiwan Strait.

The US government announced on Monday the approval of possible US$100 million sale of equipment and services to Taiwan to “sustain, maintain, and improve” the Patriot system – a deal certain to further infuriate Beijing, which sees Taiwan as its territory that must be taken in control, by force if necessary.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Beijing opposed the arms sale, saying it seriously damaged China-US relations and peace across the Taiwan Strait.

“China will take strong and legitimate measures to defend its sovereignty and security interests,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.

02:19

Taiwan holds urban, aerial combat drills amid threats of invasion by mainland China

In a statement, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the Pentagon said it notified Congress of the deal on Monday after it was approved by the State Department.

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