June 9, 2022 12:04 PM GMT+7
A Taiwanese Navy warship arrives at the Corinto port,
Nicaragua April 9,2018.REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas
TAIPEI, June 9 (Reuters) - The United States
has approved a possible $120 million sale of parts to help Taiwan maintain its
warships, which the island's defence ministry said would help ensure combat
readiness in the face of China's "frequent activities" near the
island.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency
said in a statement it had delivered the required certification notifying
Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was requested
by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington.
It said the sale covered unclassified spare
and repair parts for ships and ship systems, logistical technical assistance,
U.S. government and contractor representative technical and logistical support.
"The proposed sale will contribute to
the sustainment of the recipient's surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability
to meet current and future threats," it said in the Wednesday statement,
adding the parts would be sourced from "approved U.S. Navy vendors and/or
U.S. Navy stock".
Taiwan's defence ministry said the deal was
expected to come into effect within one month, and expressed its thanks to the
United States for its support in helping Taiwan be able to protect itself.
"In view of the recent frequent
activities of Chinese warships in the sea and airspace around our country, the
ship parts that the United States has agreed to sell will help maintain the
proper equipment and consumption of our naval ships and meet the actual needs
of combat readiness tasks," it said.
Neither side gave details of what parts
Taiwan would be receiving.
Most of Taiwan's main warships are U.S. made
or designed.
The democratically governed island has
complained of repeated missions by China's air force in its air defence zone,
part of what Washington sees as Beijing's effort to pressure Taipei into
accepting its sovereignty.
China's navy has also been conducting
increasingly regular missions near Taiwan.
The United States, like most countries, does
not have official relations with Taiwan, but Washington is its biggest backer
and is bound by law to provide it with means to defend itself.
Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-approves-120-mln-sale-maintain-taiwanese-warships-2022-06-09/
No comments:
Post a Comment