Overview
- The U.S. State Department approved and notified Congress of proposed arms sales to Taiwan totaling about $11.1 billion, the largest U.S. package for the island reported to date.
- The proposed transfers include HIMARS rocket systems valued at roughly $4.05 billion and M107A7 self-propelled howitzers at about $4.03 billion.
- Additional items cover Javelin anti-tank missiles ($375 million), ALTIUS-700M/600 drones ($1.1 billion), TOW systems ($353 million), AH-1W spares ($96 million), Harpoon sustainment ($91.4 million) and a tactical software and network package ($1.01 billion).
- The notifications open a statutory review period in which Congress can approve, modify or block the deals before any delivery.
- Taiwan welcomed the move as bolstering self-defense, while China lodged a formal protest and warned of serious consequences as the U.S. said the sales support regional stability and serve U.S. interests.