America has approved the largest arms sale ever to Taiwan. The total value of this package is 11.1 billion dollars i.e. about Rs 93,500 crore. The Trump administration has announced this package. This package is a big step to strengthen Taiwan’s defense amid China’s increasing military threats.
Experts say that these weapons can play an important role in stopping any attack by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Taiwan fears that China may attack by 2027.
Deal divided into 8 different packages
This deal is divided into 8 packages. It has 82 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). This is the same system that America gave to Ukraine against Russia. The range of ATACMS is up to 300 kilometers, which can target from a long distance.
This package also includes 60 automatic howitzer systems and their associated equipment, which is also worth more than 4 billion dollars. Also, the sales of drones are said to be more than one billion dollars. Other deals include military software worth more than $1 billion, Javelin and TOW missiles worth more than $700 million, helicopter parts worth $96 million and upgrade kits for Harpoon missiles worth $91 million.
Taiwan will buy package from special defense budget
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said that five of these major packages – HIMARS, howitzers, TOW 2B missiles, Javelin missiles and anti-armor drones – will be purchased from Taiwan’s proposed $40 billion special defense budget. This budget is still pending for approval in the Parliament. Taiwan is focusing on asymmetric warfare for its defense, in which these weapons can cause huge damage to the enemy’s large army.
This is the second big Taiwan deal of Trump’s second term. The first was in November for $330 million, which included aircraft parts. America is committed to protecting Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. Expert Rupert Hammond-Chambers said that weapons like HIMARS have been successful against Russia in Ukraine and can also destroy any attacking Chinese army in Taiwan.
Giving arms to Taiwan hurts China
China may be very angry with this deal, because it considers Taiwan as its part and opposes any arms sale. China continues to conduct military exercises around Taiwan through PLA. There has been no official response from China yet, but this is likely to increase diplomatic tension.
At the same time, Taiwan is further strengthening its army. President Lai Ching-tey plans to increase defense spending from 3% to 5% of GDP. This deal will give strong deterrence to Taiwan and can bring a big change in regional security.
