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U.S. Approves $360 Million Arms Sale to Taiwan Including Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M Drones

Jun 19, 2024, 04:23 AM

The U.S. State Department has approved a significant arms sale to Taiwan, valued at approximately $360 million. The deal includes the sale of drones and missiles, specifically 720 Switchblade 300 loitering munitions and 291 ALTIUS 600M loitering munitions. The primary contractors for these sales are AeroVironment and Anduril, respectively. This move is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities amid rising tensions with China. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency confirmed the sale, which is expected to enhance Taiwan's security. The Biden administration's approval of this sale is likely to draw criticism from China, which views such arms deals as provocative. The sale was authorized to the Taipei Economic & Cultural Representative Office.