US President Joe Biden intends to ask Congress to approve a $1.1 billion military deal with the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The military deal proposed by the US president includes 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles.
According to international media website Politico, the package, which is still in its early stages, includes 60 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles for $355 million, 100 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical air-to-air missiles for $85.6 million, and $655.4 million for an extension of a surveillance radar contract.
The US-made F-16 fighter planes used by Taiwan will be armed with Sidewinder missiles.
The news of the new weapons comes at a time of increased hostility with China, which has staged unprecedented military exercises in the air and sea around Taiwan in response to a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month.
The US said on Sunday that it had conducted a “freedom of navigation” exercise by sending two of its warships into the strait.
According to an international media outlet, the lawmakers are anticipated to approve the deal.
The agreement will require congressional approval from the Foreign Affairs committees when the Biden administration formally notifies the parties.
