US approves sale of $619 million worth of ammunition to Taiwan

Taipei, Taiwan – The United States has approved more arms sales to Taiwan, including $619 million worth of ammunition for F-16 fighter jets, in what could be another sticking point between the United States and China. China considers the island as its territory.

The State Department said in a statement Wednesday that it had approved the sale of missiles to be used with F-16s, as well as equipment to support the missiles. It includes AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles, as well as air-to-air missiles and launchers.

Taiwan is unofficially supported by the United States and has a fleet of F-16s purchased from the United States. and many other issues, including a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States before being shot down last month.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory, which it can control by force if necessary, and has stepped up military and diplomatic harassment. In 1949, the parties split during the civil war, and the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party never dominated the island.

The United States is a major supplier of military equipment to Taiwan, and China has challenged past sales through sanctions and other actions.

Once arms sales are approved, their delivery can take years, and Taiwan has cited persistent delays in receiving the weapons it has purchased.

The weapon will be supplied by Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin Corporation.