US General has stated that the United States must expedite the transfer of weaponry to Taiwan with immediate effect.
The United States and its allies must accelerate the delivery of weaponry to Taiwan in the coming years to assist the island in defending itself, according to the top US general on Friday.
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Taiwan’s primary armaments supplier is the United States. Beijing has frequently urged that the transfer of US weaponry to Taiwan be halted, perceiving it as inappropriate backing for the ostensibly democratically run island.
“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,” said US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a visit to Tokyo.
Milley stated that Taiwan required weaponry such as air defence systems and those capable of targeting ships from land.
“I believe it is critical that Taiwan’s military and defensive capabilities be improved,” he stated.
Taiwan has complained about delays in US weapon delivery, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, since last year, as manufacturers diverted supplies to Ukraine as it faces invading Russian soldiers.
Some US lawmakers have expressed worry about the situation.
Taiwan has stated that its defence budget this year will be focused on preparing weaponry and equipment for a “total blockade” by China, including F-16 fighter parts and weapon replenishment.
In August, China performed war simulations around the island, launching missiles over Taipei and establishing no-fly and no-sail zones in a mock-up of how it would aim to invade Taiwan.
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China’s military has been practising joint force operations at sea in recent days, ahead of Taiwan’s annual war exercises at the end of the month, during which it will mimic breaking a Chinese blockade.
Milley stated that US-China relations were at a “very low point,” and that recent diplomatic discussions, notably those between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, were critical in preventing an escalation.
