Biden administration announces estimated $345 million weapons package for Taiwan

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President Biden on Friday authorized a new weapons aid package to Taiwan worth up to $345 million, an action likely to anger China. 

Congress approved up to $1 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority weapons aid for Taiwan, which strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims, in the 2023 budget. Beijing has repeatedly demanded the United States, Taiwan's most important arms supplier, halt the sale of weapons to the island.

The White House did not disclose details of what's in the package, though Reuters reports it is expected to include four unarmed MQ-9A reconnaissance drones if U.S. officials can remove some of the advanced equipment installed on the drones that only the U.S. Air Force is permitted access to.

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Taiwanese soldiers handle their guns during the annual Han Kuang anti-landing drill in New Taipei City, Taiwan July 27, 2023.  (REUTERS/Ann Wang)

In a statement, Taiwan's defense ministry thanked the U.S. for its "firm security commitment," adding that it will not comment on the details because of a "tacit agreement" between the two parties. 

Reuters previously reported that an issue over who would pay for the drone alterations was an obstacle to their inclusion in the weapons package. The outlet could not determine if the drones were still included. 

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Military vehicles equipped with US-made TOW 2A missile can be seen during a live fire drill in Pingtung, Taiwan July 3, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang (REUTERS/Ann Wang)

Taiwan had previously agreed to purchase four — more advanced — MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones made by General Atomics, which are slated for delivery in 2025.

China considers close U.S. ally Taiwan its own province and regularly sends planes and warships to harass the island's military and intimidate its 23 million citizens. It has never renounced the use of force to annex the island. Taiwan strongly opposes China's sovereignty claims and has asserted its independence. 

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Black Hawk helicopters prepare to land at Taoyuan International Airport as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan, Taiwan July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang (REUTERS/Ann Wang)

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin previewed additional U.S. aid to Taiwan in comments made to the Senate on May 16. "I'm pleased that the United States will soon provide significant additional security assistance to Taiwan through the Presidential Drawdown Authority that Congress authorized last year," he said.

Earlier this month, U.S. Army General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. and its allies need to speed up the delivery of aid to Taiwan.

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"The speed at which we, the United States, or other countries assist Taiwan in improving (their) defensive capabilities, I think that probably needs to be accelerated in the years to come," Milley told reporters during a visit to Tokyo. 

The Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) has been used on an emergency basis to expedite security assistance to Ukraine by allowing the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stockpiles. The Taiwan PDA, however, is a non-emergency authority approved by Congress last year.

Reuters contributed to this report.