The U.S. Department of State’s approval Oct. 21 of the sale of a defensive weapons package to Taiwan totaling US$1.81 billion is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
It is the eighth such sale made under the administration of President Donald J. Trump and reflects the commitment of the U.S. to the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, the MOFA said. The deal will help maintain Taiwan’s defensive capability while preserving peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the ministry added.
 
The Ministry of National Defense also issued a statement the same day thanking the U.S. for assisting Taiwan in developing its asymmetric warfare capacity. The arms sale underscores the importance the U.S. places on Taiwan in its Indo-Pacific strategy, the MND said.
 
According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, items in the package include AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 Launchers and MS-110 Recce Pods, as well as related equipment.
 
Taiwan will continue investing in its national defense while enhancing security and strategic cooperation with the U.S. and other like-minded partners to safeguard the country’s freedom and democratic way of life, the MOFA said. (SFC-E)
 
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