fredag 22. mai 2020

Trump administration approves arms sale to Taiwan amid China tensions

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it had approved a potential $180 million arms sale to Taiwan, a move that is bound to anger Beijing amidincreasing tensions. The State Department authorized a possible sale of eighteen MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology Heavy Weight Torpedoes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $180 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Wednesday.

"The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability in current and future defensive efforts. The recipient will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense," the announcement said. The Trump Administration has previously approved several major arms sales to Taiwan valued at some $10 billion in total, including dozens of F-16 fighter jets, M1A2T Abrams tanks and portable Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.