US approves potential howitzer artillery system sales to Taiwan

The possible sale, which has not been finalised, has again angered China as US seeks deeper ties with Taiwan.

The United States has approved the potential sale of howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at up to $750m, the Pentagon has announced, prompting condemnation by China. The State Department approval announced on Wednesday followed arms sales to the island last year that included drones and coastal missile defences meant to upgrade Taiwan’s capabilities and discourage a possible invasion from China, which claims democratically-run Taiwan as its own territory, to be taken by force if needed. The package would include 40 155mm M109A6 medium self-propelled howitzer artillery systems, 1,698 precision guidance kits for munitions, spares, training, ground stations and upgrades for Taiwan’s previous generation of howitzers, the Pentagon said.