Taipei: Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery stated on Tuesday that the United States’ recent arms sales to Taiwan are anticipated to hinder China’s ability to invade Taiwan.
According to Focus Taiwan, the U.S. government disclosed last week the potential sale of eight arms packages to Taiwan. This includes U.S.-made M109A7 howitzers, HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank missiles, and drones, with an estimated total cost of US$11.1 billion. Montgomery, who is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank, commented that these weapons would complicate any Chinese military efforts to establish and maintain a foothold on Taiwanese soil.
In an email response to CNA’s inquiry about the arms sales, Montgomery commended the effectiveness of ground-based systems and munitions such as M109A7 howitzers, HIMARS, Javelin, and TOW against China’s military capabilities. He highlighted the UAV package, valued at approximately US$1 billion, as a crucial component in enhancing Taiwan’s counter-intervention capabilities both on land and at sea.
However, Montgomery expressed disappointment over the absence of E-2D early warning and command and control aircraft in the arms package. He emphasized that these aircraft are cost-effective and essential for coordinating Taiwan’s fighter aircraft (F-16s) and air defense systems. Earlier this year, military experts noted that due to frequent incursions by Chinese fighter jets, Taiwan needs to procure E-2D aircraft to replace its existing E-2K models.
This recent arms sales announcement marks the second occasion the U.S. has approved arms sales to Taiwan since Donald Trump resumed office earlier this year.
