Taiwan is exploring buying arms worth billions of dollars from the US, sources briefed on the matter said, hoping to win support from the new administration of US President Donald Trump as China continues to apply military pressure on the nation.
Three sources familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, told Reuters that Taiwan is in talks with Washington.
The package is meant to demonstrate to the US that Taiwan is committed to its defense, one of the sources said.
Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei Times
A second source said the package would include coastal defense cruise missiles and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) rockets.
“I would be very surprised if it was less than US$8 billion. Somewhere between US$7 billion to US$10 billion,” the source said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
However, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has said he wants to speed up delivery of weapons to Taiwan.
The Ministry of National Defense declined to comment on specific purchases, but said it is focused on building up its defenses.
“Any weaponry and equipment that can achieve those goals for building up the military are listed as targets for tender,” the ministry said.
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