Press Release:
The US-Taiwan Business Council Comments on the Proposed Foreign Military Sales of F-16 Aircraft/AESA Parts and Support and IMSE/EXFOR Support to Taiwan

(Arlington, Virginia, November 30, 2024)

The US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) today welcomed the announcement of two possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Taiwan of spare parts and support for F-16 aircraft and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, Improved Mobile Subscriber Equipment (IMSE) and Experimental Force (EXFOR) follow-on support, and related equipment and support at an estimated total cost of US$385 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certifications notifying Congress of the two proposed Taiwan arms sales on November 29, 2024.

The first published Congressional Notification (transmittal number 24-103) includes critical spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support for F-16 aircraft. Also included are Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar spare parts and support, engineering, technical, and logistics support services and other related elements of logistics and program support. The second published Congressional Notification (transmittal number 24-112) includes follow-on support for the Improved Mobile Subscriber Equipment (IMSE) and Experimental Force (EXFOR) system, extending a previously implemented US$41.6 million FMS case falling under the notification threshold. Included are repair and return of equipment, management, replacement, and repair services, engineering and technical support, and other related elements of logistics and program support.

USTBC President Rupert Hammond-Chambers commented, “By the end of 2026, Taiwan will have the largest, most-advanced F-16 fleet in the Indo-Pacific – exceeding 200 fighters – and it will require deep stocks of spare parts to ensure operational rates that maximize the impact of the fleet. China’s efforts to degrade the airworthiness of Taiwan’s F-16s through constant grey zone harassment can be partly offset by careful, sustained maintenance. Additionally, AESA radars are a significant force multiplier. Keeping them maintained improves combat competitiveness against the PLAAF. 

Additionally, sustained support for Taiwan’s mobile and secure communications infrastructure, through IMSE, is essential in both combat situations and in disaster relief during and after earthquakes and typhoons. Improved secure communications across the government, particularly including both civilian and defense personnel, is essential to improving Taiwan’s deterrent capabilities.”

Hammond-Chambers added, “It is unfortunate that the Biden Administration seemingly sought to bury these two arms sales by publishing them after 9:00 pm on the Friday after Thanksgiving break. This administration has undertaken a stellar approach to the cadence of arms sales over the past 4 years. It is unnecessary and counterproductive to downplay America’s defense and security support for Taiwan in this manner.”

Source: See the DSCA website at https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales

Additional Data:

For more details on Taiwan arms sales, please visit our dedicated defense website at www.ustaiwandefense.com. The post “Taiwan Arms Sales Notified to Congress 1990-2024” contains charts showing a summary of arms sales data by year as of this most recent sale, along with a link to the raw data compiled by the Council from DSCA and other sources.