The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of a Field Information Communications System (FICS) worth an estimated cost of US$280 million to Taiwan. It marks the Trump administration’s sixth arms sale to Taiwan in 2020, worth a total of US$5.86 billion.

Speaking at a security forum in Taipei, Taiwanese President Tsai Ying-wen noted the growing threats in the increasingly militarized South China Sea. “Authoritarian forces consistently attempt to violate the existing norms-based order. Taiwan has been at the receiving end of such military threats on a daily basis,” she said.

On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry thanked the U.S.’ commitment to help strengthen the island’s defense capabilities. “Taiwan and the United States will continue to consolidate their security partnership to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” it added.

Yen Teh-fa, Minister of National Defense, said the FICS is used for defense communication of ground forces and can improve the Taiwan military’s capabilities in information management.

According to a press statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the system consists of 154 Communications Nodes with S-788 Type III shelter, 24 Communication Relays with S-788 Type III shelter, 8 Network Management Systems with S-788 Type III shelter, as well as other related equipment and technical and logistical support.

The U.S. Congress is notified of the latest sale, which came a month after four aerial drones worth US$600 million were sold to Taiwan.

The proposed sale is consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8) and serves the U.S. interests by supporting Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain credible defense capabilities against China, according to the DCSA.

The Taiwan Defense Ministry also revealed that two more military sales worth US$800 million are set next year, though the details cannot be disclosed at the moment.

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