US approves $120M sale to maintain warships in Taiwan

The United States approved a possible $120 million sale of parts to help Taiwan maintain its warships, which would help the island nation ensure combat readiness in the face of China’s frequent activities.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was requested by Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington.

It said the sale covered unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, US government and contractor representative technical and logistical support, and technical assistance.

The defense ministry of Taiwan said the deal was expected to come into effect within one month and expressed its gratitude to the United States for its support in helping the nation be able to protect itself.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said in the view of the recent frequent activities of Chinese warships in the sea and airspace around the country, the warship parts that the US had agreed to sell would the nation help maintain the proper equipment and consumption of its naval ships and meet the needs of combat readiness tasks.

Most of Taiwan’s main warships are the US designed or made. The democratically governed island has complained of repeated incursions by China’s air force in its air defense zone, part of what the US sees as China’s effort to pressure Taiwan into accepting its sovereignty.