The US State Department approved on Wednesday the $180 million sale of vehicle-launched anti-tank systems to Taiwan, the Pentagon said, the latest weapons deal between the self-governed island and its main ally.
Taiwan would receive Volcano anti-tank munition-laying systems, cargo trucks, ammunition, logistics support packages, and a myriad of other related services under the deal, according to a Pentagon statement.
“This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” the statement said.
Beijing claims democratically run Taiwan as part of its territory, to be taken one day, and has become more aggressive toward the island under President Xi Jinping.
It has responded with growing anger to visits by US and other foreign politicians this year and staged huge military drills to protest against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s trip to Taiwan in August, sending tensions to the highest level in years.
US President Joe Biden signed into law a defense spending bill last week that included up to $10 billion in military grant assistance to Taiwan.
The bill authorizes up to $2 billion a year in assistance to Taiwan from 2023 to 2027.
Beijing said in response to the bill’s earlier passage by the US House of Representatives it was “firmly opposed to the US using the National Defense Authorization Act to pass negative content related to China.”