Washington Arms Taiwan with Modern Military Equipment 0 10

For the first time since Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025, Washington has approved the sale of fighter jets and aviation components to Taiwan worth $330 million, Reuters reports. This will help "enhance the recipient's [of the arms] ability to counter current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of the F-16, C-130, and other aircraft," the Pentagon stated. China has expressed outrage over the resumption of supplies.

The administration of Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, for its part, thanked the U.S. government for the activation of systematic arms supplies to the island republic and support in strengthening its defense capabilities. "The deepening of Taiwan-U.S. security partnership is an important cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," the statement said.

The first deliveries under the new contract will begin within a month, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported. These weapons will help maintain the combat readiness of the Air Force's fighters and strengthen the island nation's air defense, as well as enhance Taiwan's defense capabilities and improve its ability to respond to incursions from the PRC, which considers the island part of its territory, in the "gray zone" (the waters around the island), the statement said.

"The Taiwan issue lies at the core of China's fundamental interests and is the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations," responded Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

Washington has official diplomatic relations with Beijing but maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan and is the island's main arms supplier, committing to providing Taiwan with self-defense means.

This is necessary due to the fact that China's armed forces regularly conduct exercises in the sea and air over Taiwan. The government in Taipei describes the aim of these actions as pressuring the island. However, there have not been any real combat actions so far. Nevertheless, Beijing does not rule out the use of force to take control of the island.

Earlier, sources from Bild familiar with Western intelligence data reported that the PRC might take advantage of a potential political crisis in the U.S. related to the 2026 elections to invade Taiwan.