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US and Taiwan in talks for US$500 million in free weapons after arms deliveries stalled
- Taiwanese defence minister says the island will receive free supplies – including missiles and training – in addition to its existing orders
- The armaments are expected to be those ‘readily available in the US inventory’
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Lawrence Chungin Taipei
Taiwan is in talks with the Pentagon for half a billion US dollars in free weapons following delays in much-needed arms deliveries, the island’s defence minister said on Monday.
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Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told the Taiwanese legislature that the talks had been under way for at least four months, confirming for the first time that the United States would send the free munitions.
“These extra weapons will be given to us for free and will not be deducted from the purchase list which has been delayed by the US,” Chiu said when pressed by lawmakers on the deal.
Taiwan has complained of delays to US weapon deliveries, including Stinger missiles and advanced F-16V fighter jets.
The US authorised the sale of 250 Stingers to Taiwan in 2019 but the shoulder-mounted missiles have been in demand in Ukraine.
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Asked what kind of weapons would be involved, Chiu said: “They will include missiles and some logistic services to help train our soldiers so that they will be familiar with the weapons’ operations as soon as they arrive.”
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