Taiwan signs another $107M defense deal with US

ANKARA

Taiwan has signed yet another defense deal with the US to ensure “uninterrupted supply of ammunition” to its navy.

Under the fresh deal, Taiwan's Navy has signed a contract worth $107 million with the US to provide “uninterrupted supply of ammunition for the next nine years”, the Taiwanese government said on Friday.

Over the course of nine years, the Taiwan Navy would make 18 purchases of ammunition, daily Taiwan News reported.

The purchases would include naval guns and the Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS).

The fresh agreement took effect on Oct. 20 and will last through the end of September 2029.

Earlier this week, US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said: “The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to… [Taiwan] of four Weapons-Ready MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $600 million.”

The US decision to sell drones to Taiwan ruffled feathers in Beijing which said it will “make a proper and necessary response” to drone sales to Taiwan.

China claims Taiwan is a “breakaway province” while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949. At least 16 countries recognize it as such and have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.

Washington has sold Taipei weapons worth $4.8 billion in the past several weeks escalating the already tense relations with Beijing which sees it as violation of the “One China Policy”.