US Approves Drone Sales To Taiwan

The United States has agreed to sell four armed MQ-9 Reaper drones to Taiwan, the US State Department announced on Tuesday, helping to boost the island's defence as Beijing steps up its threats.

The US$600 million sale aids Taiwan's "continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," the State Department said.

It will also assist in maintaining political stability and the military balance in the region, the department said in a statement.

The sale covers four drones, ground stations, and associated surveillance and communications equipment, but not the bombs or missiles usually associated with it.

The drones deal comes on the heel of several other major arms packages to Taiwan announced in recent weeks worth US$4.2 billion, including potent Harpoon anti-ship missiles, air-launched SLAM-ER cruise missiles, air reconnaissance technology and mobile light rocket launchers.

In a statement, Taipei's foreign ministry said the deal "will enable Taiwan to be more capable and confident in defending peace in the Taiwan Strait".

The arms sales have angered Beijing, which regards Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize it.

Chinese jets have in recent months begun crossing into Taiwan's defence zone at an unprecedented rate.

While Taiwan has for decades fallen back on an implicit US security guarantee, Washington has urged it to strengthen its own capabilities. (AFP)