Overview
- The State Department approved a DSCA sale covering components, spare parts and repair-and-return support for Taiwan’s F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft.
- The package focuses on maintenance and readiness for existing fleets rather than new combat platforms.
- China’s foreign ministry said Taiwan is a core interest and stated it firmly opposes the sale.
- President Lai Ching-te has pledged to raise defense spending to above 3% of GDP next year and to 5% by 2030.
- A proposed $32 billion special defense budget faces potential blockage from the Kuomintang, which controls the legislature.