The U.S. State Department has approved a potential arms sale to Taiwan valued at approximately $385 million, according to the Pentagon. The deal, announced on Friday, includes spare parts for F-16 jets and radar systems, coming just ahead of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s sensitive Pacific tour, which involves stops in Hawaii and Guam, a U.S. territory.
Although Washington and Taipei lack formal diplomatic ties, U.S. law mandates providing Taiwan, claimed by China, with defensive capabilities. This policy continues to provoke strong reactions from Beijing. Taiwan, a democratically governed island, rejects China’s claims of sovereignty.
China has increased military pressure on Taiwan this year, conducting two rounds of war games. Security sources suggest Beijing may stage additional drills to coincide with President Lai’s Pacific trip.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency detailed the sale as $320 million for F-16 spare parts, Active Electronically Scanned Array Radars, and related equipment. Additionally, the State Department approved a $65 million deal for improved mobile subscriber equipment and support, with General Dynamics as the primary contractor.
Taiwan’s defense ministry expects the agreements to be finalized within a month. The new equipment will enhance the readiness of its F-16 fleet and bolster a credible defense force.
In a statement, the ministry emphasized ongoing cooperation with the United States to strengthen their security partnership and maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.Last month, the United States announced a potential $2 billion arms sale package to Taiwan, which includes the island’s first acquisition of an advanced air defense missile system, previously battle-tested in Ukraine.
On Saturday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will depart for Hawaii, officially as a stopover on his way to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—three of the 12 nations that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. His itinerary also includes a stopover in Guam, both of which host significant U.S. military bases.
China on Friday called on the United States to exercise “utmost caution” in its dealings with Taiwan.
The U.S. State Department, however, stated there is no reason for what it described as a private, routine, and unofficial transit by Lai to be used as grounds for provocation.
