Washington/Taipei: The United States has initiated comprehensive moves to increase Taiwan’s defence preparedness against the background of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. US department of state has sanctioned fresh defence assistance to Taiwan. This includes the deployment and maintenance of Patriot missile systems. In February, the United States had approved the modernisation of the Patriot missile systems deployed in Taiwan.
The Trump administration in the United States had decided to provide defence assistance on a massive scale to Taiwan as a part of the aggressive anti-China policy. Two years ago, an ambitious agreement to purchase F16-V fighter jets was signed between the United States and Taiwan. After that, the United States announced the supply of Harpoon missiles, High Mars Rocket systems, and SLAM-ER missiles to Taiwan. In the meantime, it was reported that Taiwan had initiated talks regarding Patriot Missiles, Drones, Smart Mines and Howitzers. Out of these, agreements for the supply of Patriot Missiles and Howitzers have been signed and even the implementation has started. 
The decision of the US department of state also is a part of the same policy. With this decision, an agreement worth $95 million will be signed to complete deployment and address other related technical issues regarding the Patriot Missiles. This becomes the third agreement signed by the Biden administration regarding defence assistance to Taiwan.
Against the background of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States has indicated increasing cooperation with Taiwan. In January, a bill named ‘Arm Taiwan Act’ was presented in the US Congress. The bill has a provision for the supply of defence assistance worth $3 billion to Taiwan annually.
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