The Foreign Military Sale (FMS), which is expected to cost US D 332.2 million, was authorized by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense on Thursday.
According to a statement from the CIA, the weaponry shipment would also contain 30mm ammunition, wheeled vehicle components, and other supplies. This is US President Joe Biden’s tenth weapons shipment to Taiwan.
“The State Department has issued a decision sanctioning a potential foreign military sale of 30 millimeter ammunition and associated equipment to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States for an estimated price of USD 332.2 million. The necessary certification alerting Congress of this potential sale was provided today by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, according to a statement from the Department of Defense.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) has asked to purchase a variety of unclassified 30 mm ammunition, including 30 mm High Explosive Incendiary-Tracer rounds, 30 mm multi-purpose rounds, and 30 mm training rounds; engineering technical services, including configuration control, production support, ammunition testing, and load, assemble, and pack services; other technical services, including sourcing and acquisition assistance, N A total of USD 332.2 million is anticipated to be spent, it said.
The statement claims that by aiding the recipient’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its military forces and to preserve a credible defensive capacity, the proposed sale supports the US national, economic, and security interests. Additionally, it will contribute to the recipient’s increased security and the preservation of regional political stability, military parity, and economic growth.
The planned sale would help the recipient maintain its CM34 armored vehicles, improving its capacity to combat present and future threats. This ammunition will help the recipient achieve its objectives of sustaining its military capabilities and improving interoperability with the US. This ammo will be easily absorbed by the recipient’s military forces.
The underlying military balance in the area won’t change as a result of the planned sale of this weaponry and assistance.
Taiwan hailed the State Department for allowing the sale of weapons and tweeted, “We appreciate @StateDept approving the #FMS of 30mm ammunition and related equipment, as well as Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement.” The US has previously authorized the sale of weapons. Both FMS are now being notified by @congressdotgov.