Taiwan to receive $345 million military package from US through PDA

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Jul 2023 08:22

The US will send Taiwan a military package, further increasing tensions with China.

The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022. (AP)

Bolstering Taiwan's ability to go to war with China, the US unveiled, on Friday, a $345 million military aid package for Taiwan which allegedly included intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, and small arms munitions.

The package is to be drawn from the US' reserves and thus will allow for the equipment to be delivered at a faster rate than other military packages.

According to a Pentagon spokesperson, the package offered "capabilities that Taiwan will be able to use to bolster deterrence now and in the future," adding that elements of the package "address critical defensive stockpiles, multi-domain awareness, anti-armor and air defense capabilities."

The Pentagon spokesperson also reaffirmed, "We are working expeditiously to deliver the military assistance announced today."

In turn, the Taiwan Defense Ministry's spokesperson Sun Li-fang thanked Washington "for its staunch commitment to Taiwan's security," claiming that "the Presidential Drawdown Authority is another important support for Taiwan's self-defense in addition to weapons sales."

According to the ministry's spokesperson, "Taiwan and the US will continue to cooperate closely in safety issues in order to maintain peace, stability, and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait."

US capable of 'defending' Taiwan against China: US commander

US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral John Aquilino told reporters ten days ago, on July 19, that he is confident the US military has the capability to defend Taiwan against a Chinese "invasion."

"With what we have today, I'm confident that they [China] would fail," Aquilino said at an event hosted by the Aspen Institute.

Aquilino added that Beijing is building up all of its military capabilities at a rate that is "second to none."

The situation around Taiwan has been escalating following former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contacts with the island.

Pelosi's visit led China to announce ending cooperation with the United States on a number of issues such as climate change, anti-drug efforts, and military talks.

Recent updates on the situation reveal that Taiwan's Vice President, William Lai, is scheduled to visit the United States next month as part of his transit to and from Paraguay.

While these are official stopovers, the visit provides an opportunity for Lai to meet with US officials despite Chinese warnings.

On July 6, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on soldiers to protect China's sovereignty and territory, telling them to strengthen war and combat planning to boost their chances of winning in actual warfare, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.