A little over a year after President Joe Biden approved a $345 million military aid, the White House has approved another $567 million (€507 million) to help improve Taiwan's Defense after Taiwan raises alarm over waves of missile firing inland from China.
In a brief statement on Sunday, 29th of September, the White House said Biden had delegated the secretary of state “to direct the drawdown of up to $567 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan.”
While the previous aid of $345 happened in July, 2023, and included man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS, intelligence and surveillance capabilities, firearms and missiles, the latest aid also includes anti-armor systems, air defense capabilities, and intelligence, which are important for countering potential Chinese aggression.
Drones and other advanced technologies are also part of the aid package, aligning with Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare strategy to deter a much larger Chinese military.
This announcement follows Biden’s signing of a comprehensive bill in April that allocated billions in U.S. aid not only to Ukraine for its ongoing conflict with Russia but also to Israel and Taiwan. Taipei has expressed concerns over delays in U.S. arms deliveries, particularly regarding upgrades for its F-14 fighter jets.
Also, an unnamed US official also mentioned that The Pentagon is working on a third aid package for Taiwan in alignment with Biden Defense Support plans before the end of his term in January next year.
Under the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act passed last year, the US government is authorized to spend up to $2 billion annually in military grant assistance to the island from 2023 to 2027.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul welcomed the approval.
“I am glad the administration is further implementing our bipartisan Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act by finally providing FMF to Taiwan. These weapons will not only help Taiwan and protect other democracies in the region, but also strengthen the U.S. deterrence posture and ensure our national security from an increasingly aggressive CCP,” McCaul said in a statement.
How is China Responding To The U.S.’ Interference?
Beijing routinely sends military aircraft across the Taiwan Strait, forcing the island’s military to scramble fighters to intercept the threat.
On Sept. 5 and 6, for example, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported 19 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters, drones and helicopters, approaching the island. Meanwhile, the U.S. and its allies routinely steam through the 110-mile-wide strait that separates Taiwan from the mainland. On the 25th of September, Japanese, Australian and New Zealand warships made such a transit.
Beijing views those passages as provocative and regularly condemns them as support for Taiwan. China does not consider the strait an international waterway.
Closing Notes
Without doubt, President Biden’s $567 million defense aid marks a significant step in strengthening Taiwan's military capabilities amidst escalating tensions with China.
This latest support enhances Taiwan's defensive posture with advanced technologies and signals a continued U.S. commitment to safeguarding Taiwan's security and regional stability.