The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced today that it has received formal notification from the United States government regarding the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan totaling $300 million. The U.S. administration has informed Congress about the “general” and “special” aircraft parts and components sales cases, aimed at enhancing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the United States announced the latest round of arms sales to Taiwan, totaling $300 million. The DSCA stated that the U.S. State Department has approved these two arms sales cases, with notification sent to Congress on the 5th. These sales are in line with U.S. national, economic, and security interests, contributing to Taiwan’s security improvement, maintaining regional political stability, military balance, and economic progress.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) noted that this marks the fourteenth announcement of arms sales to Taiwan by the Biden administration since taking office in 2021, continuing the normalization of arms sales to Taiwan in recent years. The sales aim to enhance Taiwan’s defense and deterrence capabilities, demonstrating the U.S. government’s long-standing “rock-solid” security commitment to Taiwan and its high regard and support for regional peace, stability, and progress. The Ministry expressed a warm welcome and gratitude to the U.S. government for consistently fulfilling its security commitments to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances.”
“Facing the recent large-scale military pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the waters surrounding Taiwan, as well as the increasingly frequent gray-zone provocations, like-minded partners have repeatedly urged the CCP to stop its irrational actions of coercion against Taiwan and undermining the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
In response to various threats from the CCP, Taiwan has shown its determination to defend the country, continuously enhance its self-defense capabilities and asymmetric warfare capabilities, staunchly defend the way of life of freedom and democracy, using strength to achieve peace. This includes deepening the close security partnership between Taiwan and the United States, jointly upholding the rules-based international order, and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China (Taiwan) stated that the U.S. government informed Congress on June 5 Eastern Time about the arms sales to Taiwan, specifically the “general” ($220 million) and “special” ($80 million) aircraft parts and components for the Air Force’s F-16 jets, totaling $300 million. The sales are expected to officially take effect after a one-month notification period.
“In the face of the CCP’s attempt to normalize gray-zone provocations, pressuring our airspace and training areas, as well as limiting our right to self-defense and counter-attack, the items agreed upon for sale by the U.S. will help maintain the proper equipment and replenishment of our Air Force fighter jets, meeting the needs of defense operations and combat training to ensure the steady maintenance of our traditional military capabilities,” said the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China (Taiwan) emphasized that the stability of the Taiwan Strait requires mutual maintenance by both sides, with Taiwan demonstrating its utmost goodwill. Military intimidation does not contribute to regional peace and therefore calls on the CCP to cease all irrational behavior towards Taiwan. Additionally, the continuous assistance from the United States in helping Taiwan maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances,” is the foundation for regional stability. The Ministry expressed sincere gratitude for the U.S. arms sales decision.