The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced its latest wave of arms sales to Taiwan on June 5th Eastern Time, totaling $300 million (approximately NT$9.65784 billion), including F-16 fighter jet parts and equipment. This marks the 14th arms sale to Taiwan by the Biden administration. Taiwan expressed gratitude while Chinese authorities reacted with indignation. Experts pointed out at least five significant positive implications of the latest arms sale.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) news release stated that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. requested to purchase F-16 fighter jet spare and repair parts, components, consumables, accessories, as well as engineering, technical, logistics, and other related services provided by the U.S. government and contractors, estimated at around $220 million.
The Office also requested to buy non-standard F-16 fighter jet spare and repair parts, components, consumables, accessories, as well as services from the U.S. government and contractors, estimated at around $80 million.
These items will be transferred from the U.S. Air Force inventory.
The DSCA news release mentioned that the U.S. State Department has approved both arms sale cases, and DSCA notified Congress on the 5th. These arms sales align with U.S. national, economic, and security interests, helping to improve Taiwan’s security, maintain regional political stability, military balance, and economic progress.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan stated on the 6th that the U.S. government’s $300 million arms sale to Taiwan is undergoing the “notification to Congress” process and is expected to take effect formally one month later.
This arms sale is the 14th since President Biden took office in 2021.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office issued a statement thanking the U.S. for once again fulfilling the commitments to Taiwan’s security under the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances,” enhancing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, and promoting peace and stability in Taiwan and the region.
The Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan expressed sincere gratitude for the U.S. decision to continue assisting Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense capabilities.
On the 7th, both the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of National Defense reacted strongly, stating China’s “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” and demanding that Taiwan not be armed in any way.
Retired Major General and former President of the National Defense University’s Institute of Political Warfare, Yu Zongji, stated in an interview that the direct provision of a $300 million arms sale by the Biden administration to Taiwan marks a new significant milestone in U.S.-Taiwan arms sales, with at least five key implications.
Firstly, it signals a warning to China about the attempt to consume Taiwan’s air force operational readiness by disrupting operations with harassment flights.
“China’s intention with harassing flights is aimed at consuming Taiwan’s air force operational readiness. China’s numerical advantage in its air force can deplete Taiwan’s combat capabilities and related air force components. The direct shipment of F-16 fighter jet components by the U.S. to Taiwan is a strong warning to China.”
Yu Zongji stated that the U.S. providing these parts directly also highlights Taiwan’s ability to independently perform maintenance on F-16 fighter jets.
“Taiwan can also repair F-16 fighter jets of the first island chain in the Asia-Pacific region or other allied countries, becoming a regional maintenance hub for F-16s in the Asia-Pacific region, greatly enhancing Taiwan’s military cooperation with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Furthermore, with the enhancement of maintenance capabilities and providing aircraft maintenance to more countries, Taiwan can strengthen its defense economic efficiency.
Yu Zongji said, “For a country to be strong, maintaining combat effectiveness requires strong economic support. The threatening environment created by the CCP is to limit Taiwan’s economic development. By making Taiwan the operational center for F-16 maintenance in the Asia-Pacific region and an operational center for maintenance in the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. not only helps economic growth but also provides the most direct solution to China’s attempt to deter foreign investment in Taiwan through war.”
Fourthly, the direct establishment of the logistical supply line by the U.S. highlights Taiwan’s potential to become the most important arsenal for democratic countries in the future.
“Logistical components can be directly transported, various weapon systems can also be compared. This not only stabilizes the situation in the Taiwan Strait, but Taiwan’s future role as an important democratic arsenal in the Asia-Pacific region is also emphasized.”
“Logistics are crucial in war; the U.S. is now focusing on Taiwan, and Taiwan has achieved the ability for autonomous logistics, making it almost impossible for China to easily launch a war.”
Yu Zongji mentioned that with Taiwan’s technological capabilities and the support provided by the U.S. in logistics, weapons, and equipment, all the countries in the first island chain will utilize Taiwan as an arsenal, possessing a collective operational mechanism for defense in terms of ammunition, fuel, and energy. If China were to attack Taiwan in the future, it would have to face all the countries along the first island chain immediately.
Finally, from the direct provision of logistical components, it signifies that the U.S. has elevated Taiwan to a state-to-state relationship because Taiwan’s previous arms sales required third-party involvement.
Yu Zongji believes that this represents a clear strategy by the U.S towards China. The direct involvement of the U.S. echoes Biden’s recent statement in a media interview that if the CCP invades Taiwan, the U.S. will assist in defense. “The U.S. action sends a very clear signal to China; attacking Taiwan is equivalent to declaring war on the U.S.”
Dr. Zhong Zhi-dong from the National Defense Security Research Institute of Taiwan mentioned on the 7th that shortly after China’s recent military exercises near Taiwan and Biden’s fifth statement on military defense for Taiwan, the U.S. announced a new arms sale, which strongly deterred China.
He noted that what’s more important is that these items were transferred from the U.S. Air Force inventory, meaning the U.S. is providing surplus defense materials to allied countries. This demonstrates Taiwan’s role as a non-NATO ally, sending another warning sign to China.
Zhong also stated that this U.S. arms sale to Taiwan will enhance the operational readiness and combat capabilities of Taiwan’s F-16 fighter squadron, countering China’s military plane intrusions.
However, he also pointed out that Taiwan has purchased $19 billion worth of military equipment from the U.S., which has not been delivered yet, and hopes the U.S. can expedite the delivery.
The “Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry Forum,” organized by the Taiwan Defense Industry Development Association, was held on the 6th at the Taipei International Conference Center where 27 American arms dealers met with relevant Taiwan units.
Zhong mentioned that the visit of major U.S. defense industry firms to Taiwan showcases the bilateral military and defense industry cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S.
Deputy Researcher Lee Zheng-Xiu from the Taiwan Foundation for National Policy Research stated on the 7th that this U.S. arms sale to Taiwan is likely to be the delivery of previously delayed military items to Taiwan. In terms of military balance across the strait, this sale does not carry much weight. “After all, investing in arms and military expenditures require government funds, which Taiwan cannot compare to mainland China.”
He suggested that Taiwan should focus on developing asymmetric combat capabilities, specializing in high-tech technologies and weapon systems to deter China’s military aggression. “The higher the cost they have to pay, the less likely they will strike against Taiwan.”
Military expert Qi Le-yi from Taiwan stated on the 7th that the supply of these aircraft spare parts by the U.S. is crucial. “Logistical support is more important for aircraft. During usage, if a part malfunctions, the aircraft cannot fly, or its performance will be compromised. The recent tense situation across the strait and increased military drills require more consumption of supplies.”
President Biden mentioned in a recent interview with Time magazine that he does not rule out using U.S. force to protect Taiwan. Since taking office, Biden has publicly stated four times that the U.S. will defend Taiwan if China invades. The shift from the U.S.’s “strategic ambiguity” on the Taiwan Strait issue to a potentially clearer stance has been closely watched.
Qi Le-yi believes that the U.S. policy is currently maintaining strategic ambiguity. “The U.S.’s defense assistance to Taiwan is strategically clear, but how to defend Taiwan in the event of war remains ambiguous; there is a high degree of ambiguity.”
He mentioned that Trump once made a tough statement, saying if China attacked Taiwan, he would bomb Beijing, which signifies a different approach. “Don’t underestimate that statement. This line of thinking is crucial.”
Qi Le-yi pointed out that the determination of the West to maintain security and stability in the Taiwan Strait is becoming stronger and clearer, but in practice, they are maintaining a high level of opacity.