US makes fresh sale of F-16 parts to Taiwan worth $300M

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The US has approved a fresh weapons sale to Taiwan totaling $300 million, marking the 14th arms sale to Taipei by Washington since Joe Biden took office in 2021.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the sales include F-16 aircraft spare and repair parts for an estimated cost of $220 million.

While it noted the sale will “improve the recipient’s ability to meet current and future threats,” the agency said: “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

The sale was approved at the request of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, it said.

It includes US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The agency said the sale “serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.”

“The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region,” it added.

The agency will also sell “non-standard” spare and repair parts and related equipment for F-16 worth $80 million.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the sales would “help maintain Taiwan's combat capabilities.”

It urged China to cease "all irrational actions" against Taiwan, adding that stability in Taiwan Strait "requires the joint efforts of both sides."

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Meanwhile, the ministry said it detected one Chinese aircraft and eight Chinese naval vessels operating around Taiwan on Thursday.​​​​​​​