US State Dept OKs two possible military sales to Taiwan – Pentagon
Soldiers of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing of Taiwan Air Force are pictured during the visit of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, in Taichung, Taiwan in this handout picture released on April 14, 2023.
Taiwan Presidential Office/Handout via REUTERS
Taiwan has asked to purchase 30mm ammunition, including high explosive incendiary-tracer rounds, multi-purpose rounds, and training rounds, for an estimated cost of $332.2 million, the Pentagon says
WASHINGTON DC, USA – The US State Department has approved the potential sale of ammunition and logistics supply support to Taiwan in two separate deals valued at up to $440 million, the Pentagon said on Thursday, June 29.
Taiwan has asked to purchase 30mm ammunition, including high explosive incendiary-tracer rounds, multi-purpose rounds, and training rounds, for an estimated cost of $332.2 million, the Pentagon said.
The principal contractors will be Alliant Techsystems Operations and General Dynamics, it said.
Taiwan has also asked to buy a Blanket Order Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement for an estimated cost of $108 million, the Pentagon said.
The logistics arrangement will support the purchase of spare and repair parts for wheeled vehicles, weapons and other related elements, it said.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of both of the possible sales on Thursday.
https://www.rappler.com/world/us-canada/united-states-military-sales-taiwan/
I feel like the article’s title and the current context of the sort of military gear that Ukraine are getting makes this sound way more exciting than it is. They’re basically just being sold bullets by the sounds of it.
That is probably the most “exciting” part of it. Basically it is asking for a formal agreement for the US to “Ukraine” them in the event someone (China) attacks. Not necessarily direct military support but logistics support (and the bearded dudes with sat phones relaying intel that are thrown in for free).
In Taiwan’s case it is almost entirely about politics. Barring massive internal unrest, Xinnie the Poo isn’t going to invade. Taiwan is an island which makes the logistics of gaining a foothold drastically worse than driving some tanks across a few bridges and pretty much all of the “value” of Taiwan (basically TSMC) will be leveled in any war.
So if this goes through? It is the US basically saying “We are still going to stay wishy washy on if we acknowledge that Taiwan exists, but we will make you pay for every single inch of their/your land” and China needing to be even more desperate to even think about invading.