The US State Department has cleared the Taiwanese government to procure equipment for its tactical information systems.
Valued at $300 million, the potential foreign military sale covers life cycle support for the island nation’s Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4).
It also includes the provision of spare and repair parts, personnel training, and software and hardware upgrades.
A total of 26 US government personnel and 83 contractor representatives will travel to Taiwan to provide engineering and technical support.
The support will help improve the small nation’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its operational readiness and ensuring a secure flow of tactical information.
Taiwan currently faces the threat of invasion from China, which views the island as part of its territory that should be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Fulfilling Taiwan’s Defensive Needs
According to a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement, the proposed sale is in line with a law that requires Washington to provide Taipei with the means to defend itself.
The C4 life cycle support is already the 12th arms sale to Taiwan by US President Joe Biden, demonstrating Washington’s continuing attention to the country’s defense needs.
With the sale likely to go ahead, the Taiwanese defense ministry expects the effectiveness of its joint combat command and control systems to increase for enhanced battlefield awareness.
It also recognized the timing of the proposed sale, saying current military operations by China around Taiwan present a serious threat to the Taiwanese people.
The sale is expected to take effect in one month, according to reports.
