Current:Home > StocksBiden administration announces $345 million weapons package for Taiwan-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Biden administration announces $345 million weapons package for Taiwan
View Date:2024-12-23 20:25:34
The Biden administration is sending Taiwan a $345 million package of weapons drawn from U.S. stockpiles, the White House announced Friday.
This marks the first time the U.S. is sending equipment to Taiwan from its own stocks using the presidential drawdown authority. Congress authorized about $1 billion for presidential drawdown packages for Taiwan in the annual defense bill passed last year for the 2023 fiscal year.
Drawing down from U.S. inventories is a quick way to transfer equipment, as evidenced by the more than 40 drawdowns the administration has sent Ukraine since August 2021. Drawdowns bypass the foreign-military sales process, which can take years to deliver weapons and equipment. What will be in the drawdown package for Taiwan and its estimated delivery date are not yet clear.
Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Meiners said the drawdown "includes self-defense capabilities that Taiwan will be able to use to build to bolster deterrence now and in the future." And he added, "Systems included in the $345 million package address critical defensive stockpiles, multi-domain awareness, anti-armor and air defense capabilities."
The transfer of equipment is part of the U.S. commitment to support Taiwan's self defense to deter or stop a potential Chinese attack. China is developing the military capability to invade Taiwan by 2027, although senior U.S. officials say this doesn't mean China has decided to attack or invade Taiwan.
"The decision-making process would still have to occur," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said earlier this month. "You want to make sure every single day President Xi wakes up and says today's not that day, and that that decision never comes. That's the whole essence of deterrence."
The announcement will likely anger Beijing, just as the U.S. and China have started reestablishing relations after the Chinese spy balloon incident. Several senior leaders have met over the summer, but military-to-military relations remain dormant. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin still has not met with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu since Li took office in March.
- In:
- Taiwan
- China
CBS News reporter covering the Pentagon.
TwitterveryGood! (1)
Related
- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had mild stroke this month, team says
- All the Signs Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Were Headed for a Split
- It Ends With Us' Brandon Sklenar Slams Critics Vilifying the Women Behind the Film
- Atlanta hospital accused of losing part of patient's skull following brain surgery: Lawsuit
- Ex-Marine misused a combat technique in fatal chokehold of NYC subway rider, trainer testifies
- From NASA and the White House, to JLo and Kim Kardashian, everyone is getting very demure
- Former assistant dean of Texas college accused of shaking, striking infant son to death
- 'Beyond excited': Alex Cooper's 'Call Her Daddy' podcast inks major deal with SiriusXM
- Advocacy group sues Tennessee over racial requirements for medical boards
- Usher setlist: All the songs on his innovative Past Present Future tour
Ranking
- Secret Service Agent Allegedly Took Ex to Barack Obama’s Beach House
- Propane blast levels Pennsylvania home, kills woman and injures man
- Driver distracted by social media leading to fatal Arizona freeway crash gets 22 1/2 years
- Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at Oakland, California, public schools
- The Best Corduroy Pants Deals from J.Crew Outlet, Old Navy, Levi’s & More, Starting at $26
- Dance Moms’ Kelly Hyland Shares She Reached Milestone Amid Cancer Treatments
- North Carolina elections board OKs university ID on phones for voter access this fall
- TikTok unveils the songs of the summer, from 'Million Dollar Baby' to 'Not Like Us'
Recommendation
-
'I was in total shock': Woman wins $1 million after forgetting lotto ticket in her purse
-
23 indicted in alleged schemes to smuggle drugs, phones into Georgia prisons with drones
-
James Taylor addresses scrapped performance at DNC 2024: 'Sorry to disappoint'
-
It Ends With Us' Brandon Sklenar Slams Critics Vilifying the Women Behind the Film
-
Hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field can be fixed for about $55M in time for 2026 season, per report
-
Paris Hilton looks through remnants from trailer fire in new video: 'Burned to a crisp'
-
Ian McKellen on life after falling off London stage: 'I don’t go out'
-
Gabby Williams signs with Seattle Storm after Olympic breakout performance for France