The US-Taiwan Business Council Comments on the Proposed Sale of 18 MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology (AT) Heavy Weight Torpedoes (HWT) to Taiwan

May 20, 2020

The US-Taiwan Business Council today welcomed the announcement of a possible Foreign Military Sale of 18 MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology (AT) Heavy Weight Torpedoes (HWT) and related equipment to Taiwan. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certifications notifying Congress of the proposed arms sale on May 20, 2020.

The published Congressional Notification (transmittal number 20-07) is for a total value of approximately US$180 million. The notification includes 18 MK-48 Mod6 ATHWTs, as well as spare parts, support and test equipment, shipping and shipping containers, operator manuals, technical documentation, training, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.[1]

The US-Taiwan Business Council is encouraged by these Congressional notifications. Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said that “the return to regular arms sales has become a hallmark of the past several years. Taiwan’s commitment to growing its stock of munitions is important, and these MK-48 torpedoes will add to that stock. Taiwan’s balanced procurement priorities ensure that larger platforms – such as F-16s – are prioritized, while they are also tending to munitions stocks, life-cycle support, and services. It is the totality of all arms sales that helps Taiwan create a complete defense.”

Hammond-Chambers went on to say “The timing of the sale is also significant. Today, Tsai Ing-wen was sworn in to her second term as President of Taiwan. The United States, through this sale, is telegraphing that its support for Taiwan’s democracy isn’t just rhetorical – with positive statements on her inauguration coming from Secretary of State Pompeo. U.S. support is also material, as we maintain our commitment to providing Taiwan with weapons to deter the threat posed by the People’s Republic of China to Taiwan’s democratic way of life.”

[1] See the DSCA website at http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales

USTBC Comments on Sale of 18 MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology Heavy Weight Torpedoes to Taiwan

 

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