To boost defences against aggressive China, US approves $100 million support deal with Taiwan

Washington

To boost Taiwan’s defences against an increasingly aggressive China, the Biden administration has approved a $100 million support contract with the government of the island. It includes the sale of equipment and services.  

On Monday, the State Department announced the engineering and maintenance agreement.   

As per the agreement, the US will help Taiwan in maintaining its existing air-defence missiles and advanced US-made Patriot missiles, which the country is acquiring.  

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On Twitter, Taiwan's defence ministry also conveyed its thanks to the US for the approval to the agreement.   

US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in a statement, said that it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department’s approval for the sale, which was urged by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington.  

In a statement, the DSCA said that upgrades to the Patriot Air Defense System would "help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region."   

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"This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," the agency added.   

The main contractors in the deal would be Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin, it said.   

(With inputs from agencies)