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WASHINGTON: The US Defense Department on Wednesday told Congress it had approved the possible sale of up to $421 million in missiles built by Raytheon Co. to Taiwan for use on its F-16 fighter jets.
Congress has 30 days to block the proposed sale, although such actions are rare.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees major foreign arms sales, said Taiwan had requested the sale of 218 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), as well as 235 AGM-65G2 Maverick missiles, and associated launchers and equipment.
The sale would augment and complement AMRAAM and Maverick missiles that Taiwan already had in its inventory, it said.
The possible sale would help Taiwan modernize its armed forces and enhance its defensive ability to counter air and ground threats, the agency said in its notification to Congress.
The prime contractor for the sale would be Raytheon and the total value of the sale would be $421 million, if all options are exercised, it said.
