U.S. approves $265 million sale of military communications systems to Taiwan

The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of a military communications system and related equipment to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States at an estimated cost of $265 million, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency(DSCA) said Dec. 20.

It is noted that Taiwan has requested from the United States 309 multifunctional information distribution systems of the MIDS JTRS Joint Tactical Radio Systems, as well as services required to integrate the MIDS JTRS V5 Block Upgrade Three on Patriot, HE-2K, P-3 and F-16 Block 20 platforms, communications equipment and services to accelerate the upgrade of the Advanced Tactical Transmission System.

"This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's ongoing efforts to modernize its military forces and maintain a robust defense posture. The proposed sale will help improve the recipient's security and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region," the statement said.

Earlier in the day, current US President Joe Biden authorized $571 million in military aid to Taiwan, the funds will be used to help Taiwan, he said.

On October 25, the State Department approved the sale to Taiwan of the NASAMS air defense (air defense) system and radar stations (radars) for nearly $2 billion. Also authorized is the potential sale of the NASAMS system and related equipment for $1.16 billion, as well as AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 radars for $828 million.

Prior to that, on September 30, it was reported that U.S. President Joe Biden approved $567 million in military support for Taiwan. The White House also said it was the latest move by the United States to strengthen the island's armed forces amid growing tensions with China.

The day before, Taiwan's Armed Forces received the first batch of land-based Harpoon anti-ship missiles (ASMs) ordered earlier from the United States.

On September 18, China imposed sanctions on nine U.S. companies in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. They will be subject to measures to freeze their assets in the country and ban organizations and individuals in the PRC from conducting any transactions, cooperation or other activities with them.

The escalation of the conflict between China and Taiwan came after a visit to the island by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August 2022. The Chinese side considers Taiwan to be its own territory, so it views visits to the island by officials from other countries as support for Taiwan's independence.

Official relations between the PRC government and its island province broke down in 1949 when the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek, who lost in a civil war with the Communist Party of China, moved to Taiwan. Contacts between the island and mainland China resumed in the late 1980s. The U.S. openly supports the Taiwanese authorities.