The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of a Field Information Communications System (FICS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $280 million.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) had requested to buy 154 Communications Nodes (CN) with S-788 Type III shelter; 24 Communication Relays with S-788 Type III shelter; 8 Network Management Systems (NMS) with S-788 Type III shelter; Basic Issue Items (BII); program management support; verification testing; system technical support; transportation; spare and repair parts; communication support equipment; communication equipment integration; tools and test equipment; personnel training and training equipment; initial repair and return program; Additional Authorized List (AAL); technical manuals; Quality Assurance Team (QAT); U.S. Government and contractor engineering; technical and logistics support services; contractor provided training; Field Service Representatives (FSR); and other related elements of logistics and program support.
This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region. This proposed sale is designed to provide mobile and secure communications. It will contribute to the recipient’s goal to modernize its military communication’s capability in support of their mission and operational needs. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces. The principal contractor is currently unknown due to a pending open competition for selection. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor(s). Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the permanent assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the recipient. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements.
This proposed sale is consistent with U.S. law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8. The objective of the Public Law 96, or the Taiwan Relations Act, is to ensure Taipei’s security by selling advanced weapons and technology, support the island nation’s membership in international organizations and promote its democracy in China and abroad. The Six Assurances, made by then-President Ronald Reagan to Taiwan in 1982, pledge not to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan and not to consult with China on those arms sales. China has been vehemently opposing the U.S.’ moves to support Taiwan and has sanctioned American firms selling arms to the country. It wants to “unify” the renegade island by force. The Foreign Military Sale is based on the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances that strengthen our defense capabilities and maintain regional peace and stability. Recently, the US moved forward with several arms sales packages for Taiwan, including approving the sale of weapons-ready MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) and AGM-84H standoff land attack missile expanded response (SLAM-ER) Missiles. The move is likely to upset China, which considers Taiwan as one of its provinces and strongly opposes any form of military support to the island.
