The United States and its allies need to speed up arms deliveries to Taiwan in the coming years to help the island defend itself, the top US general said on Friday.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important arms supplier. Beijing has repeatedly demanded an end to US arms sales to Taiwan, seeing them as unwarranted support for the democratically governed island that China claims as part of its territory.
“The speed at which we, the United States, or other countries help Taiwan improve its defensive capabilities, I think probably needs to be accelerated in the coming years,” said US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff North. -American, told reporters during a visit to Tokyo.
Milley said Taiwan needs weapons such as air defense systems and those that can target ships from land.
“I think it’s important that Taiwan’s Armed Forces and its defensive capabilities are enhanced,” he said.
Since last year, Taiwan has complained of delays in deliveries of US weapons, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers resumed supplying Ukraine, which is fighting Russian forces that have invaded the country. The issue has worried some US lawmakers.
Taiwan has said its defense spending this year will focus on preparing weapons and equipment for a “full blockade” of China, including parts for F-16 fighter jets and weapons replacement.
China held war games around the island in August, firing missiles at Taipei and declaring no-fly and navigation zones in a simulation of how it would try to isolate Taiwan in a war.
In recent days, the Chinese military has been practicing joint force operations at sea ahead of Taiwan’s annual war games later this month, when it will simulate breaking a Chinese blockade.
Milley said relations between the United States and China were at a “very low point” and that recent diplomatic meetings, including between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, were important. to reduce the chances of an escalation.
Milley said the United States was looking into the need to rebase some of its forces in Asia-Pacific.
The majority of US forces in the region are in Northeast Asia, including 28,500 in South Korea and 56,000 in Japan.
“We are seriously looking at potential alternative base options,” Milley said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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