The US State Department has approved the sale of air defense systems and long-range radars to Taiwan for a total of $1.94 billion.
The approved sales include National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 long-range radar systems.
Both the sales are pending the approval of the US Congress.
Ukraine-Tested System
Taipei requested three NASAMS and related equipment for an estimated $1.16 billion.
The Ukraine-tested system is expected to enhance the self-governing territory’s medium-range air defense capabilities against combat aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
It is likely to replace Taiwan’s Hawk surface-to-air missile system, state media agency CNA wrote, citing retired Taiwanese air force officer Chou Yu-ping.
NASAMS Features
Jointly developed by Kongsberg and Raytheon, the NASAMS can intercept 72 targets simultaneously from a range of 50 kilometers (31 miles). Its target detection range is 120 kilometers (74 miles).
According to Yu-ping, the systems are expected to be deployed to protect Taipei from cruise missiles and fighter jets.
The systems approved for sale include 3 AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar systems, 123 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER), 2 AMRAAM-C8 guidance sections, and 4 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems.
“The proposed sale will improve the recipient’s capability to meet current and future threats by contributing to the recipient’s abilities to defend its airspace, provide regional security, and increase interoperability with the United States through its NASAMS program,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
Long-Range Radars
Meanwhile, the sale of AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 radar systems is estimated to cost $828 million.
The L-band AN/TPS-77 has a range of 470 kilometers (292 miles) while the S-band AN/TPS-78 can detect targets from a distance of 444 kilometers (276 miles).
Both radars are highly mobile and can be transported on C-130 cargo planes, helicopters, trucks, and trains.
China’s Reaction
Beijing condemned the sale approval and said that it would take “countermeasures” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“China will take resolute countermeasures and take all measures necessary to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” The Guardian quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry as stating.
The ministry further reacted following a Taipei statement welcoming the approval, saying that the arms package “seriously damages China-US relations and endangers peace and stability” in the Taiwan Strait.