According to a report on the website of the US “Defense News” weekly on April 14, affected by the new crown epidemic, the backlog of US arms sales orders to Taiwan has reached about 14.2 billion US dollars, involving contracts since 2019. As Washington is currently focusing on providing military assistance to Ukraine as soon as possible, some lawmakers worry that the backlog of arms sales may weaken the so-called “defensive capabilities” of the Taiwanese military.
According to the report, the Republican member of the US House of Representatives Shabo said that the House Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the backlog of orders last week. “Ukraine is of course the focus now, but we cannot forget Taiwan,” he claimed.
The report also said that the reporter obtained a spreadsheet with details of the delayed delivery. According to the form, the orders involved included 66 F-16 fighter jets purchased by the Taiwan authorities for $8 billion, as well as upgrades worth about $620 million. “Actor” missile system contract. Also involved in delayed deliveries are some small “asymmetric weapon systems”, including the Stinger surface-to-air missile, the Paladin self-propelled howitzer, the MS-110 reconnaissance pod and the field information and communication system.
The report pointed out that the backlog of orders of 14.2 billion U.S. dollars accounts for the majority of about 17 billion U.S. dollars of contracts signed by Taiwan authorities with the United States since July 2019. It is unclear what steps the U.S. can take to address the procurement difficulties and associated delivery delays caused by the outbreak.
The report also pointed out that at the same time, the Biden administration continued to encourage the Taiwan authorities to increase investment in so-called “asymmetric warfare.”
In response to the US arms sales to Taiwan, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense said recently that the US arms sales to Taiwan region of China seriously violated the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués, especially the “8.17” communique, and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs. , seriously undermining China’s sovereignty and security interests, seriously undermining the relationship between the two countries and the two militaries and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. The spokesman stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan issue concerns China’s core interests, and no foreign interference is allowed. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will take effective measures to resolutely thwart any form of external interference and “Taiwan independence” separatist attempts, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.