US approves drone sale to Taiwan while all eyes on White House race
- US$600 million package marks first time sophisticated armed drone technology made available to Taipei
- Third arms deal in two weeks welcomed by Taiwanese presidential office
The US state department announced on Tuesday – while the US presidential election was under way – it had notified Congress of the possible sale of four weapons-ready MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones and other equipment worth US$600 million.
It was the third arms deal with Taipei in two weeks and will increase the island’s maritime surveillance capabilities against Beijing while boosting its defence relations with Washington.
The Taiwanese presidential office welcomed the announcement and said it reflected Washington’s firm commitment to the island’s self-defence and was in line with the US Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances” which underpin their security partnership.
“The equipment meets the defence and strategic needs of our forces and can effectively upgrade the surveillance capability of our forces at all times, thereby strengthening our asymmetric warfare and our defensive ability,” said presidential spokesman Xavier Chang.
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Washington’s US$1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan is first weapons deal of its kind in over 40 years
The Taiwanese foreign and defence ministries also hailed the announcement as yet another concrete US action to help strengthen the island’s defensive capability. The defence ministry said it would prepare a budget for the latest deal to be sent to the legislature for review and approval.