New Delhi: The United States administration announced three contracts on Friday to sell weapons and technical services to Taiwan worth $1.1 billion in total, the US Department of State and a Pentagon agency have announced.
The first contract, worth $665.4 million, will provide Taiwan with equipment and logistical support for its radar stations. The second one envisages the delivery of 60 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and four ATM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II missiles worth $355 million. Under the third contract, worth $85.6 million, Taiwan is to receive 100 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical air-to-air missiles.
The US Department of State has authorized the implementation of those contracts following national legislation.
The administration has already notified Congress about the move. The legislative body now has 30 days to examine those agreements and possibly block them.
Taiwan has become an important U.S. partner in trade and investment, health, semiconductor and other critical supply chains, investment screening, science and technology, education, and advancing democratic values. The United States approach to Taiwan has remained consistent across decades and administrations.
Taiwan holds an important position in the global economy. It is a top player in the world’s information and communication technology industry as well as a major supplier of goods across the industrial spectrum.
(Vinayak)