US advancing new sale of advanced-grade military drones to Taiwan

(Worthy News) – A $600 million deal for the sale of four MQ-9 SeaGuardian advanced US aerial drones to Taiwan has passed a key stage in Congress and is ready for final approval, Reuters reports. One of several other current US sales of advanced military equipment to Taiwan, the deal is expected to further increase tensions with China.

The Trump administration has recently proceeded with four other sales of military equipment to Taiwan, with a total value of around $5 billion, Reuters reports. The sales have progressed amid rising concerns about China’s military intentions toward Taiwan, an island the Chinese government considers to be a rebel province that must return under Beijing’s control.

The US State Department notified Congress for the first tranche of arms sales to Taiwan on October 21. This included truck-based rocket launchers made by Lockheed Martin Corp, Rocket System (HIMARS) Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missiles, and external sensor pods for F-16 jets. On October 26, the US progressed with the proposed sale to Taiwan of 100 cruise missile stations and 400 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missiles made by Boeing Co, Reuters reports.

In light of broad bipartisan support for the defense of Taiwan, it is expected the US State Department could formally notify Congress of the drones sale later this week, a Reuters source said.

The US considers Taiwan an important democracy and is legally bound to help the island defend itself.

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