$557,100,000,000,000,000,000,000
Weapons sale 'basis for maintaining regional stability,' says Taiwan
Weapons sale 'basis for maintaining regional stability,' says Taiwan
2/03/2023 Thursday
AA
The US Joe Biden administration approved its ninth arms sale package worth around $619 million to Taiwan, which the self-ruled island said will help “boost the combat readiness” of its air force.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the State Department has made a “determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to Taiwan, including F-16 munitions and related equipment, for an estimated cost of $619 million.
It said the agency delivered the required certification notifying the US Congress of this possible sale on Wednesday.
The sale came on a day when 25 Chinese aircraft flew around the island nation across Taiwan Strait.
On Thursday, 29 Chinese aircraft flew around the island nation of around 24 million people which China claims as its “breakaway province.”
Beijing has time and again urged Washington to halt any military engagement or arms sales to Taiwan. It has also sanctioned defense American contractors for selling weapons to the island nation.
US Congress is expected to approve the latest arms sale, which includes 100 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), 23 HARM training missiles, 200 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections and 26 LAU-129 multi-purpose launchers, within this month.
The US defense sales agency said Raytheon Missiles and Defense, and Lockheed Martin Corporation will supply the approved arms to Taiwan.
It added the new arms supply to Taiwan “will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.”
It will “contribute to the recipient’s capability to provide for the defense of its airspace, regional security, and interoperability with the US,” the US agency added.
Expressing “sincere gratitude” to Washington over the deal, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said: “Weapons are the basis for maintaining regional stability.”
Proposed missile sale highlights U.S.' growing trust in Taiwan: Analyst
AA
The US Joe Biden administration approved its ninth arms sale package worth around $619 million to Taiwan, which the self-ruled island said will help “boost the combat readiness” of its air force.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the State Department has made a “determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to Taiwan, including F-16 munitions and related equipment, for an estimated cost of $619 million.
It said the agency delivered the required certification notifying the US Congress of this possible sale on Wednesday.
The sale came on a day when 25 Chinese aircraft flew around the island nation across Taiwan Strait.
On Thursday, 29 Chinese aircraft flew around the island nation of around 24 million people which China claims as its “breakaway province.”
Beijing has time and again urged Washington to halt any military engagement or arms sales to Taiwan. It has also sanctioned defense American contractors for selling weapons to the island nation.
US Congress is expected to approve the latest arms sale, which includes 100 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), 23 HARM training missiles, 200 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections and 26 LAU-129 multi-purpose launchers, within this month.
The US defense sales agency said Raytheon Missiles and Defense, and Lockheed Martin Corporation will supply the approved arms to Taiwan.
It added the new arms supply to Taiwan “will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.”
It will “contribute to the recipient’s capability to provide for the defense of its airspace, regional security, and interoperability with the US,” the US agency added.
Expressing “sincere gratitude” to Washington over the deal, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said: “Weapons are the basis for maintaining regional stability.”
Proposed missile sale highlights U.S.' growing trust in Taiwan: Analyst
03/02/2023
Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). Photo taken from Raytheon Missiles & Defense's website
Taipei, March 2 (CNA) Washington's trust in Taipei has been underlined by its announcement on Wednesday of a sales package to Taiwan including one of the most advanced missiles in active service on U.S. warplanes, a military expert said on Thursday.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Wednesday an US$619 million arms sale package to Taiwan consisting of F-16 munitions, including 200 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 100 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), 23 HARM training missiles, four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections, and 26 LAU-129 multi-purpose launchers.
If approved by the U.S. Congress, the package will mark the first time that the U.S. is selling Taiwan the AIM-120C-8 missiles, also known as AIM-120D, which are also fielded on advanced U.S. fighter jets including F/A-18, F-22, and F-35.
The AIM-120C-8 missile is the latest update to the AIM-120 family of AMRAAMs whose initial operating capability was only declared in 2015.
It features a two-way data link, improved navigation using a GPS-enhanced Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), an expanded no-escape envelope, improved high-angle off-boresight capability, and a 50-percent increase in range compared with the older AIM-120C-7 missiles.
It is often deployed on planes in combination with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to fulfill short- to mid-range combat needs.
The AIM-120C-8 missiles are also used by Japan's air force to defend against Chinese and Russian warplanes.
Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a research fellow at the Taiwan government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the AIM-120C-8 features a greatly increased range of 160 km -- about 1.5 times that of the previous version, AIM-120C-7.
In addition, its expanded no-escape envelope and high-angle off-boresight capability mean there is less chance of escape for enemy aircraft within firing range, Su said.
While a pilot traditionally has to lock on to the tail of an enemy aircraft using a targeting system before initiating a strike, the off-boresight launch capability means that pilots will be able to fire the missiles at extreme angles, he said.
This capability, coupled with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), means that pilots would no longer be encumbered by the absence of a clear line of sight for an attack, as they would be able to fire off a missile at an enemy aircraft flanking them just by taking a look over their shoulder, he said.
Taipei, March 2 (CNA) Washington's trust in Taipei has been underlined by its announcement on Wednesday of a sales package to Taiwan including one of the most advanced missiles in active service on U.S. warplanes, a military expert said on Thursday.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Wednesday an US$619 million arms sale package to Taiwan consisting of F-16 munitions, including 200 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 100 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), 23 HARM training missiles, four AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections, and 26 LAU-129 multi-purpose launchers.
If approved by the U.S. Congress, the package will mark the first time that the U.S. is selling Taiwan the AIM-120C-8 missiles, also known as AIM-120D, which are also fielded on advanced U.S. fighter jets including F/A-18, F-22, and F-35.
The AIM-120C-8 missile is the latest update to the AIM-120 family of AMRAAMs whose initial operating capability was only declared in 2015.
It features a two-way data link, improved navigation using a GPS-enhanced Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), an expanded no-escape envelope, improved high-angle off-boresight capability, and a 50-percent increase in range compared with the older AIM-120C-7 missiles.
It is often deployed on planes in combination with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to fulfill short- to mid-range combat needs.
The AIM-120C-8 missiles are also used by Japan's air force to defend against Chinese and Russian warplanes.
Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a research fellow at the Taiwan government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the AIM-120C-8 features a greatly increased range of 160 km -- about 1.5 times that of the previous version, AIM-120C-7.
In addition, its expanded no-escape envelope and high-angle off-boresight capability mean there is less chance of escape for enemy aircraft within firing range, Su said.
While a pilot traditionally has to lock on to the tail of an enemy aircraft using a targeting system before initiating a strike, the off-boresight launch capability means that pilots will be able to fire the missiles at extreme angles, he said.
This capability, coupled with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), means that pilots would no longer be encumbered by the absence of a clear line of sight for an attack, as they would be able to fire off a missile at an enemy aircraft flanking them just by taking a look over their shoulder, he said.
F-16 fighter jet. CNA file photo
Taiwan first acquired 50 AGM-88B missiles from the U.S. from the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, he said.
With the addition of the proposed 100 AGM-88B missiles, it would bolster the ability of Taiwan's air force to target the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) coastal radar stations, communications stations, and marine radars, he said.
Although shown on the announcement as simply AGM-88B, it is widely believed that the missiles being proposed for sale to Taiwan are in fact upgraded units from the HARM Control Section Modification (HCSM) program in 2018 that boast an increased range of 180 km.
According to Su, the newly announced arms sale package has political significance in that the AIM-120C-8 is currently deployed on some of the U.S.' most advanced warplanes.
This demonstrates the deepening bilateral ties and trust the U.S. has in Taiwan, he said.
Meanwhile, Chieh Chung (揭仲), an associate research fellow with the Kuomintang (KMT) think tank National Policy Foundation, said that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) "took a step in the right direction" by purchasing the missiles, as it would expand Taiwan's arsenal of missiles, which would be an effective deterrent against PLA warships and aircraft.
The AGM-88B missiles would allow Taiwan's air force to target the radar systems on PLA ships during war, thereby forcing them to retreat, Chieh said.
They could also be deployed against radar stations along China's southeastern coast, he added.
If Taiwan's air force can suppress enemy fire, creating a window for a counterstrike, Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF) carrying domestically developed Wan Chien air-to-ground missiles could deter the PLA from deploying air defense missiles against other Taiwanese aircraft, he said.
In a statement, the MND said the procurement of the two types of missiles was aimed at bolstering certain aspects of Taiwan's defense capabilities and building a stockpile of weaponry in the face of growing threat by the PLA, and would be consistent with its principle of being prepared for war at all times.
(By Matt Yu and Sean Lin)
Enditem/HY
U.S. ups China friction with $619 million arms sale to Taiwan
Taiwan first acquired 50 AGM-88B missiles from the U.S. from the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, he said.
With the addition of the proposed 100 AGM-88B missiles, it would bolster the ability of Taiwan's air force to target the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) coastal radar stations, communications stations, and marine radars, he said.
Although shown on the announcement as simply AGM-88B, it is widely believed that the missiles being proposed for sale to Taiwan are in fact upgraded units from the HARM Control Section Modification (HCSM) program in 2018 that boast an increased range of 180 km.
According to Su, the newly announced arms sale package has political significance in that the AIM-120C-8 is currently deployed on some of the U.S.' most advanced warplanes.
This demonstrates the deepening bilateral ties and trust the U.S. has in Taiwan, he said.
Meanwhile, Chieh Chung (揭仲), an associate research fellow with the Kuomintang (KMT) think tank National Policy Foundation, said that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) "took a step in the right direction" by purchasing the missiles, as it would expand Taiwan's arsenal of missiles, which would be an effective deterrent against PLA warships and aircraft.
The AGM-88B missiles would allow Taiwan's air force to target the radar systems on PLA ships during war, thereby forcing them to retreat, Chieh said.
They could also be deployed against radar stations along China's southeastern coast, he added.
If Taiwan's air force can suppress enemy fire, creating a window for a counterstrike, Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF) carrying domestically developed Wan Chien air-to-ground missiles could deter the PLA from deploying air defense missiles against other Taiwanese aircraft, he said.
In a statement, the MND said the procurement of the two types of missiles was aimed at bolstering certain aspects of Taiwan's defense capabilities and building a stockpile of weaponry in the face of growing threat by the PLA, and would be consistent with its principle of being prepared for war at all times.
(By Matt Yu and Sean Lin)
Enditem/HY
U.S. ups China friction with $619 million arms sale to Taiwan
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 2, 2023
Air Force soldiers clear the ground in front of an armed F-16V fighter jet
SAM YEH/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
The U.S. has approved more arms sales to Taiwan, including $619 million worth of munitions for F-16 fighter jets, in a decision likely to be yet another point of friction between the U.S. and China, which claims the island as its own territory.
The State Department said in a statement Wednesday night it had approved sales of missiles to be used with the F-16s as well as equipment to support the missiles. That includes AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles, as well as air-to-air missiles and launchers.
Taiwan is unofficially supported by the U.S. and has a fleet of F-16s bought from the U.S.
Tensions between China and the U.S. are at their highest level in years over American support for the self-governed island, including visits by high-ranking politicians, and a host of other issues, including a suspected Chinese spy balloon that crossed the U.S. before being shot down last month.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary, and has been stepping up its military and diplomatic harassment. The sides split amid civil war in 1949, and China’s authoritarian Communist Party has never held sway over the island.
The United States is Taiwan’s main supplier of military equipment, and China has objected to past sales with sanctions and other actions.
Once arms sales are approved, delivering them can take years, and Taiwan has cited consistent delays in receiving weapons it has purchased.
The arms will be provided by Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin Corporation.
March 2, 2023
Air Force soldiers clear the ground in front of an armed F-16V fighter jet
SAM YEH/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
The U.S. has approved more arms sales to Taiwan, including $619 million worth of munitions for F-16 fighter jets, in a decision likely to be yet another point of friction between the U.S. and China, which claims the island as its own territory.
The State Department said in a statement Wednesday night it had approved sales of missiles to be used with the F-16s as well as equipment to support the missiles. That includes AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles, as well as air-to-air missiles and launchers.
Taiwan is unofficially supported by the U.S. and has a fleet of F-16s bought from the U.S.
Tensions between China and the U.S. are at their highest level in years over American support for the self-governed island, including visits by high-ranking politicians, and a host of other issues, including a suspected Chinese spy balloon that crossed the U.S. before being shot down last month.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary, and has been stepping up its military and diplomatic harassment. The sides split amid civil war in 1949, and China’s authoritarian Communist Party has never held sway over the island.
The United States is Taiwan’s main supplier of military equipment, and China has objected to past sales with sanctions and other actions.
Once arms sales are approved, delivering them can take years, and Taiwan has cited consistent delays in receiving weapons it has purchased.
The arms will be provided by Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin Corporation.
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