TAIPEI, Feb 8: The United States has approved a possible USD 100 million sales of equipment and services to Taiwan to "sustain, maintain, and improve" the Patriot missile defense system used by the self-governing island claimed by China.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of equipment and services to support participation in the Patriot International Engineering Services Program (IESP) and Field Surveillance Program (FSP) for five years, including engineering services support, designed to sustain, maintain, and improve the Patriot Air Defense System for an estimated cost of USD 100 million," US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on Monday.

In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale requested by Taiwan's TECRO. "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 proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region," read the statement.

The statement stated that the proposed sale will "help to sustain the recipient's missile density and ensure readiness for air operations. The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces." The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the statement added.

In a meantime, Taiwan has welcomed the US move to approve USD 100 million arms sales. Taking to Twitter, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We welcome State Department's approval of a USD100 million arms sale to Taiwan. The decision demonstrates the US government's commitment to the TaiwanRelationsAct & SixAssurances. It also supports the maintenance of our defensive capabilities, as well as regional peace & stability."

The move comes at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan are heightened. The relations between China and the US have also deteriorated in recent times due to various reasons including Beijing Winter Olympics, Indo-Pacific, and the coronavirus pandemic. China has repeatedly threatened Taiwan with invasion and has adopted an aggressive policy to intimidate the self-governing island. For decades, the Chinese government has claimed authority over Taiwan. Though Taiwan is not recognized by the UN, its government maintains a relationship with the US and does not accept Chinese authority.

(ANI)

 
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