US President Joe Biden administration has approves military transfers to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program normally used for sovereign nations, according to a notification sent to Congress.

The notice, seen by Reuters on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, informed a congressional committee of the State Department’s intention to require FMF funds of up to US$80 million (around Rp. 1.2 trillion) to support Taiwan.
“The FMF will be used to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities through joint and joint defense capabilities as well as enhancing maritime domain awareness and maritime security capabilities,” the notice said.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense expressed its gratitude, but did not comment on the details of the assistance, and stated that the United States had helped strengthen Taiwan’s combat capabilities based on existing policies and laws.

The Taiwan notice was first reported by the Associated Press.

Representative Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was please the administration was “finally” providing FMF to Taiwan.
The FMF, the largest military assistance account administered by the State Department, primarily provides grant assistance to foreign governments for the purchase of U.S. defense equipment and military training under the Foreign Military Sales program.
A State Department official confirmed the notification to Congress and said the decision to provide FMF assistance to Taiwan did not reflect any change in US policy.

Beijing claims the democratically ruled island as its own territory, and has warned against any form of “official exchange” between Washington and Taipei.
China has repeatedly complained to the United States regarding military aid and sales to the island. Its defense ministry said the US military must stop any form of “military collusion” with the island. The United States, Taiwan’s top arms supplier, last month announced a Taiwan arms aid package worth up to US$345 million (about Rp 5.2 trillion). Last week, the United States also approved a possible $500 million sale to Taiwan of an infrared search and track system for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment.

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