The U.S. State Department approved the sale of $440 million in ammunition and spare parts to Taiwan, the Pentagon announced, as tensions with China over the democratic island remain elevated.
Washington will sell $332 million in 30mm ammunition and related equipment and $108 million in spare parts for wheeled vehicles and weapons, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Thursday.
The sales, which were requested by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, will "not alter the basic military balance in the region," the DSCA said.
"The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region," the Pentagon agency said.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Friday that the sales would help Taipei strengthen resilience and build up capacity in the face of China's "continuous expansion of military and gray zone tactics, [which] have posed a serious threat."
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