This is the Biden administration’s first delivery from the military’s own warehouses to Taiwan.
The United States announced on Friday that it will provide military aid to Taiwan for 345 million dollars, or just under 313 million euros. This is the Biden administration’s first aid from the military’s own stockpiles to Taiwan.
According to the White House, the package focuses on national defense, education and training Taiwanese people. As part of the package, the United States will also send shoulder-fired missiles, surveillance equipment, weapons and missiles to Taiwan, according to AFP’s official sources.
Weapon aid can be sent faster
US lawmakers have put pressure on the Pentagon to speed up arms deliveries to Taiwan. The purpose of the arms aid has been to facilitate a possible confrontation between Taiwan and China, but on the other hand, it has also been to prevent a Chinese attack.
In addition to the arms aid package, Taiwan has made purchases related to military equipment with the United States for almost 19 billion dollars, or about 17.2 billion euros. The procurements have included F-16 fighters, but the delivery of the equipment has been delayed due to supply chain problems.
The arms aid announced on Friday is instead part of the decision approved by Congress last year, by which the United States sends equipment from the military’s own stockpiles to Taiwan. Thanks to this, it has been possible to deliver armed aid more quickly.
The United States has learned from Ukraine
The United States has similarly sent ammunition from its own stockpiles to, for example, Ukraine.
Sending stockpiles to Taiwan before a possible conflict is indeed one of the lessons learned by the US from Ukraine, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told the news agency AP earlier this year.
China repeatedly sends its warships and aircraft to the other side of the center line of the Taiwan Strait in an effort to intimidate the island nation.
Source: AP