The US has approved a potential sale of $120 million in components to help Taiwan maintain its warships, which Taiwan’s defence ministry said would help ensure readiness for “intensive Chinese activity” near Taiwan.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement that it had submitted the required certification to Congress after Taiwan’s actual embassy in Washington asked the State Department to approve the sale.

The company said the sale includes unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, logistical and technical assistance, and technical and logistical support from the US government and contractor representatives.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry expected the agreement to take effect within a month and thanked the US for supporting Taiwan in protecting itself.

Given the recent frequent activities of Chinese warships in the sea and airspace around my country, the ship parts and components agreed to be sold by the US side will help maintain the proper equipment and consumption of Chinese naval vessels and meet the actual needs of the Chinese navy combat readiness mission,” it said.

Neither side has detailed which parts Taiwan will get. Most of Taiwan’s major warships are American-made or designed.

The democratically administered island has complained that the Chinese Air Force has repeatedly performed missions in its air defence zone, which Washington sees as part of Beijing’s efforts to pressure Taipei to accept its sovereignty.

The Chinese navy is also performing increasing conventional missions near Taiwan. The US, like most countries, has no formal relationship with Taiwan, but Washington is its biggest supporter and is legally obligated to provide it with means of self-defence.