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TAIPEI: Taiwan said on Tuesday (October 27) that the recent proposed US sales of missiles and other weapons systems will boost the island’s ability to credibly defend itself, amid growing threats from China.
The comments by Defense Ministry spokesman Shih Shun-wen came a day after China said it would impose unspecified retaliation against companies that make the weapons systems, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies and the defense division of Boeing, the prime contractor in a $ 2.37 billion sale. Harpoon missile systems to Taiwan.
Facing a potential Chinese enemy with overwhelming superiority in missiles, soldiers, ships and aircraft, Taiwan has struggled to assure its own people and key ally, the United States, that it is capable and willing to provide for its own defense.
The sides split in the midst of a civil war in 1949 and China considers Taiwan to be its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary.
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“Purchasing these weapons will enhance Taiwan’s credible combat capabilities and asymmetric combat capabilities,” Shih told reporters at a briefing, using a term to counter a much stronger enemy with precision weapons and advanced tactics. .
“This will also enhance our overall combat capabilities to help maintain peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait.”
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The Trump administration notified Congress on Monday of plans for the Harpoon system, whose missiles are capable of hitting ships and land targets. Boeing says the missile uses GPS-assisted inertial navigation and delivers a 500-pound explosive warhead. It can target coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, ships in ports, and port and industrial facilities.
That followed another proposed sale announced Oct. 21 to provide $ 1.8 billion worth of weapons, including missile and rocket systems, and upgraded equipment for Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets.
Taiwan has long been a irritating factor in US-China relations. Washington does not have formal relations with the democratically elected government of the island, but it is its main ally. US law requires the government to ensure that Taiwan can defend itself.
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In recent years, arms sales to the island have increased in quantity and quality as China builds the second most powerful army in the world dedicated in large part to defeating Taiwan and achieving its goal of annexation.
The surge in Chinese warplane patrols this year has put Taiwanese forces under increasing pressure, increasing the importance of developing new weapons systems or purchasing them abroad.
Beijing regularly lobbies American companies, including Boeing, in an effort to influence American politics. China is one of Boeing’s largest markets for commercial jets, which could make it vulnerable to a boycott, but China’s Defense Ministry only mentioned Boeing’s military arm, Boeing Defense, not its civilian jet business.
