Biden approves military aid to Taiwan under programme normally used for sovereign states

US President Joe Biden's administration has approved a military transfer to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, programme normally used for sovereign states, according to a notification sent to Congress.

The notification, which was seen by Reuters on Wednesday, informs congressional committees of the State Department's intention to obligate up to $80m (R1.5bn) in FMF funds in support of Taiwan.

“FMF will be used to strengthen Taiwan's self-defence capabilities through joint and combined defence capability and enhanced maritime domain awareness and maritime security capability,” the notification said.

Taiwan's defence ministry expressed its thanks, but said it had no say on the details of the aid, noting that the US has already been helping strengthen the island's combat capabilities under existing policies and laws.

The Taiwan notification was first reported by the Associated Press.

Representative Michael McCaul, Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was glad the administration was “finally” providing FMF to Taiwan.

“These weapons will not only help Taiwan and protect other democracies in the region, but also strengthen the US deterrence posture and ensure our national security from an increasingly aggressive CCP (Chinese Communist Party),” McCaul said in a statement.

FMF, the largest military assistance account managed by the State Department, provides primarily grant assistance to foreign governments for the purchase of US defence equipment and military training under the Foreign Military Sales programme.

A State Department official confirmed the notification to Congress and said the decision to provide Taiwan with FMF assistance did not reflect any change in US policy.

Beijing say the democratically governed island as its own territory, and warns against any forms of “official exchanges” between Washington and Taipei. Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty say and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

China has repeatedly complained to the US about military aid and sales to the island. Its defence ministry has said the US military must stop all forms of “military collusion” with the island.

The US, Taiwan's most important arms supplier, last month announced a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to $345m (R6.4bn).

Last week, the US also approved a possible $500m (R9.4bn) sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment.

Reuters