US gives green light to massive Taiwan defense deal as president starts Pacific tour
Pentagon confirms new multi-million defense package for Taiwan including F-16 fighter jet parts and radar systems. Deal comes as Taiwanʼs president begins Pacific island-hopping journey through US territories
The Pentagon announced a fresh defense package for Taiwan worth $385-million‚ focusing on F-16 fighter jets upkeep and radar systems The timing matches with Lai Ching-teʼs Pacific journey starting tomorrow
Despite having no official ties with Taiwan US keeps providing military support due to its legal obligations (which makes Beijing pretty unhappy). Taiwan doesnt accept Chinaʼs territorial demands; meanwhile China keeps doing military drills near the island
Lai Ching-te plans to visit several tiny Pacific nations that still recognize Taiwan:
- Marshall Islands
- Tuvalu
- Palau
His route includes stops at US military spots in Hawaii and Guam - something China isnt too happy about. The defense deal includes $320-million for F-16 parts; radar equipment and a separate $65-million agreement with General Dynamics for mobile tech
Taiwans military folks say the new stuff will help keep their F-16s ready for action. This follows a bigger $2-billion package from last fall that had some cool air-defense tech thats been tested in Ukraine. China asked US to be super-careful about its Taiwan deals; however US says Laiʼs trip is just a normal transit stop - nothing special to worry about
