Taipei, Taiwan – In a move reflecting an escalation in US military support for Taipei, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday, December 18, that the US administration had formally notified Congress of its approval of a massive arms deal worth over $11 billion. This is the second such deal under the second Trump administration and the largest of its kind, surpassing the 2019 F-16 sale.
Advanced offensive arsenal
The new military package includes weapons proven effective on modern battlefields. Among the most prominent are the HIMARS high-mobility artillery system and Altius-700M and Altius-600 kamikaze drones.
It also includes Javelin and TOW missiles, support for Harpoon anti-ship missiles, M107A7 self-propelled howitzers, spare parts and maintenance for AH-1W helicopters, and tactical network software.
Taipei: US commitment unwavering
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry asserted that this deal demonstrates Washington’s commitment to the “Taiwan Relations Act.” The ministry emphasized that strengthening military capabilities is the only way to deter conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-long said: “We appreciate the concrete actions taken by the United States to implement its new security strategy. This strategy prioritizes Taiwan’s strategic location, and we will continue to deepen cooperation with our security partners to counter China’s repeated provocations.”
Beijing warns: “Playing with fire” and vows a firm response
In contrast, the Chinese response was angry and sharp. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiaxing described the deal as a “flagrant violation of the One China principle.”
This deal comes just one month after a previous $330 million arms sale. This indicates an accelerated pace of Taiwanese armament, supported by the Trump administration, which appears to be pursuing a policy of “permanent and intensive arms sales.” This policy aims to bolster the island’s self-defense capabilities against any potential invasion scenario.
