US Approves Sale Of Volcano Anti-Tank Mine-Laying System To Taiwan

The United States has approved the sale of the Volcano anti-tank mine-laying system to Taiwan for a reported USD 180 million. The Volcano system, which the US Army developed in the 1980s, is capable of dispersing anti-tank and anti-personnel mines from either a ground vehicle or a helicopter and could be used to defend against amphibious landings on Taiwan's beaches.

Among other things, the sale includes M977A4 HEMTT 10-ton cargo trucks, M87A1 anti-tank munitions, M88 canister training munitions, M89 training munitions and logistics support packages.

The sale is intended to strengthen Taiwan's capacity for “asymmetric warfare” in the face of rising tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and has threatened to take the island by force if necessary. Taiwan strongly opposes Beijing's claim to sovereignty and has stated that it will defend itself if attacked.

The prime contractors for the sale are Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Corporation, the manufacturers of the munitions and trucks, respectively. The move can exacerbate tensions between the United States and China when China considers Taiwan part of its territory and strongly opposes any form of foreign government support or recognition of its independence. However, the United States maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan, including robust defence exchanges and military sales, making it Taiwan's strongest international supporter and primary source of arms, which has enraged China.

The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) frequent military activities near Taiwan have posed serious threats to the self-ruled island in recent years and have intensified. According to Taiwan's Defence Ministry, China's military sent 71 aircraft and seven ships to Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force, with 47 planes crossing the median line of the 160-kilometre (99-mile) Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary previously recognised by both sides.

Tensions between the United States and China rose earlier this year after US Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan despite China's opposition. Foreign government visits to the island are viewed by Beijing as de facto recognition of Taiwan's independence and a challenge to China's sovereignty claim.

The United States stated in its announcement of the military sales that selling the Volcano system to Taiwan serves its national, economic, and security interests by assisting the recipient's efforts to modernise its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive capability. The sale is intended to assist the island nation in strengthening its defence capabilities in the face of rising Chinese military threats.

The situation in the Taiwan Strait is complicated and tensions between China and Taiwan, as well as China and the United States, have the potential to escalate.