Taiwan Parliament Approves $9 Billion US Arms Deals

Taiwan's parliament unanimously approved on Friday a measure authorizing the government to sign four major arms sales agreements with the United States, valued at approximately $9 billion, to enhance the island's defense capabilities amid escalating tensions with China.

The Legislative Yuan's decision allows President Lai Ching-te's administration to proceed with the purchases before a broader defense spending proposal is finalized, addressing urgent deadlines that could otherwise delay delivery of critical weaponry. The packages are part of an $11 billion arms deal announced by Washington in December and include TOW anti-tank missiles, M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, FGM-148 Javelin anti-armor missiles, and HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems. Officials from Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the procurement plans underwent a rigorous approval process to align with military operational needs.

The approval came after cross-party negotiations in parliament's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, where lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, the opposition Kuomintang, and the Taiwan People's Party reached consensus....