Washington ratifies a deal to sell Taiwan munitions worth $619 million

Amid rising tensions with Beijing, the US House of Representatives announced the ratification of a deal to sell Taiwan munitions for its F-16 fighter jets worth $619 million, to boost its defense capability.

The United States has approved the sale of $619 million worth of munitions to Taiwan for its F-16 fighter jets, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

The sale, which is expected to displease Beijing, includes 100 AGM-88B "HARM" high-speed anti-radar missiles and 200 AIM-120C-8 "AMRAM" advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles. Fake missile launchers and training missiles.

The US Department of Defense confirmed that this deal will enhance "Taiwan's ability to ensure the defense of its airspace, regional security, and operational compatibility with the United States."

This announcement was made in light of the intense tension between Washington and Beijing, especially over Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, threatening to annex it to its territory, even by force.

For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the arms sale process conforms to the traditional US position towards Beijing and Taipei.

The State Department considered that "the United States' support for Taiwan and the measures taken by this country to enhance its capabilities to defend itself contribute to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region."

The Taiwanese government expressed its satisfaction with the first arms deal announced by the United States this year, and the ninth under President Joe Biden.

"In the face of China's continuous military expansion and provocative behavior, Taiwan will continue to actively improve its self-defense capabilities," said Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Jeff Liu.