Pentagon says Ukraine will not distract from Taiwan arms commitments

Weapons support to repel Russian invasion ‘will not’ shift US focus from its obligations to provide defence support to Taipei

Comments follow Taiwanese defence ministry announcement of delayed howitzer delivery and doubts over this year’s Stinger order

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Pentagon spokesman John Kirby says the US remains committed to its obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act. Photo: AP

Published: 5:26pm, 6 May 2022

The US remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s defence, despite delays in arms supplies attributed to the war in Ukraine.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Washington’s focus would not be taken off the Indo-Pacific, with more defence spending budgeted for the region.

“We’re not concerned … that a focus on Ukraine is somehow going to take our focus, our eye off the Indo-Pacific or specifically our obligations on the Taiwan Relations Act,” he said on Thursday.

The US switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but remains committed under the legislation to providing backup to the island’s defence, which includes arms sales.

On Monday, Taipei said it had been notified that next year’s delivery of M109A6 Paladin medium self-propelled howitzer artillery systems from the US had been delayed, with production lines “crowded out” by weapons for Ukraine.

Taipei has also said an order for Stinger missiles from the US might not be delivered this year, as Ukraine seeks more arms to repel Russia’s invasion.

Kirby said the materiel sent to Ukraine so far had been provided under drawdown authorities, from existing supplies.