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The US State Department has approved a possible US$75 million foreign military sale of tactical data link upgrades to the government of Taiwan.
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The US Congress was notified of the possible sale by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 21 February.
The possible sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office includes Taiwan Advanced Tactical Data Link System Upgrade Planning, related equipment, foreign military sales across domain solutions, high assurance devices, global positioning system receivers, communications equipment, requirements analysis, engineering, technical services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
“This proposed sale is consistent with US law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8,” according to a statement released by the DSCA.
“This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive capability.
“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 proposed sale will improve the recipient’s ability to meet current and future threats by enhancing communications and network security and providing infrastructure to allow the secure flow of tactical information.
“The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this support and equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
The principal contractor for the deal will be determined through US government competitive processes and the implementation of the proposed sale will require an estimated 200 US government personnel and 200 US contractor representatives to travel to the recipient, as required, to provide engineering and technical support services as well as program and technical reviews.
There will not be any expected adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
In September 2023, Taiwan announced a historic moment with the unveiling of its first domestically produced “Hai Kun” submarine.
The “Narwhal” (English) Hai Kun Class diesel-electric submarine is a new milestone for national defence independence, while also supporting submarine manufacturing and Taiwan’s defence industry, according to an official government statement on 28 September.
It’s reportedly armed with MK-48 Mod6 AT torpedoes and UGM-84L Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
Taiwan originally began development of a domestically manufactured submarine project in 2016 with the establishment of a submarine development centre as well as a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense in 2017. A total of eight new vessels are planned under the multi-billion program to reinforce Taiwan’s naval defence.
