US approves potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan – Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Aug.4 (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 40 M109A6 155mm Self-Propelled Medium Howitzer Artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at $ 750 million, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

It comes after arms sales last year which included drones and coastal missile defenses meant to enhance the island’s capabilities and deter a Chinese invasion. The Biden administration has approved other direct commercial arms sales to Taiwan since taking office.

The package would include the howitzers, 1,698 precision guidance kits for ammunition, spares, training, ground stations and upgrades for Taiwan’s previous generation of howitzers, the Pentagon said.

The Pentagon Defense and Security Cooperation Agency informed Congress of the possible sale on Wednesday.

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry expressed “sincere gratitude” to the US government in a statement Thursday, saying the sales would help its ground forces increase their “rapid reaction and fire support capacity.”

The ministry called the continued support for US arms “the basis for maintaining regional stability.”

China’s Foreign Ministry said it was “strongly opposed” to the sales and filed “harsh representations” to Washington, according to a spokesperson’s comments on the ministry’s website.

The spokesman said the sales were “interfering” in China’s internal affairs and warned that China would take countermeasures as the problem developed.

The Chinese Taiwan Affairs Bureau did not respond to a request for comment.

Like most countries, the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is required by law to provide the island claimed by China with the means to defend itself and is its most important international backer, to Beijing’s anger.

Despite State Department approval, the notification does not indicate that a contract was signed or that negotiations were successful.

The Pentagon has declared BAE Systems Plc (BAES.L) to be the prime contractor for the weapons.

Reporting by Mike Stone and Patricia Zengerle in Washington Additional reporting by Yimou Lee in Taipei and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing Editing by Dan Grebler, Matthew Lewis and Gerry Doyle

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