New US arms sale to boost combat capability: expertsSHOW OF STRENGTH: The new sale signals that US President Joe Biden’s administration is following that of his predecessor in supporting Taiwan’s securityStaff writer, with CNALocal security experts yesterday lauded the US’ announcement of a new arms sale package to Taiwan, saying it had been long delayed from last year and can help the Taiwanese army modernize its combat capabilities. Instead, they were replaced by M1156 precision guidance kits for turning existing 155mm shells into guided weapons, he wrote. The new sale shows that the Biden administration is following former US president Donald Trump’s administration on arms sale; that is, it can discuss the sale of single weapons with Taiwan, instead of selling many weapons in a large package as in earlier times, Shu said. Trump ramped up big-ticket arms sales to Taiwan during his time in office, as he feuded with Beijing on a host of issues from trade to national security. The Taiwan Strait is international waters, and any country should have freedom of navigation there, he added.

Source: Taipei Times August 05, 2021 15:56 UTC