More US arms sales in the pipeline, vice defense minister saysReporting by Ben Blanchard and Jeanny Kao / Reuters, TAIPEIMore US arms sales to Taiwan are in the pipeline, with four deals pending notification to the US Congress, Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) said today, following the announcement of a US$11 billion package last month, the largest ever for the nation. The US is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. The arms sales announced last month cover eight items, including Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and Altius loitering munition drones. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) would give lawmakers a confidential briefing on Monday next week, and the ministry is happy to share more details, Hsu said. Taiwan has to spend more given the threat, Hsu said.
