US agrees to sell military comms equipment to Taiwan

The State Department has approved the possible foreign military sales of shipboard communications equipment to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States for Taiwan. 

Specifically, Taiwan requested four Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems On Ship Low Volume Terminals, four command and control processor units and the installation of Advanced Tactical Data Link System on six Perry Class and four Lafayette Class ships. The Advanced Tactical Data Link, developed with funding from the Office of Naval Research, provides beyond line-of-sight datalink capability.

In addition State also approved the sale of up to 10 high frequency radios, 10 data terminal sets, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communications equipment, maintenance support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. government and contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support, according to a notice from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 

As China increases its activity in the South China Sea, the United States this week also approved a $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the first such sale approved by the Obama administration in four years.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not significantly alter the basic military balance in the region,” the notice on the communications equipment said. “The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.” 

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency noted that the notice of the potential sale, estimated at $75 million, does not mean that a deal has been concluded. In fact, a primary contractor won’t be identified until after negotiations go through.