China has sanctioned Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies over their recent $100 million deal with Taiwan to maintain its Patriot anti-aircraft missile defense systems. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it is sorry to see this move by China but Taiwan’s government has the responsibility to protect its citizens in the face of China’s military threat.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said the US provision of defensive weapons helps defend Taiwan's democracy and freedom and ensures national security and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
China has urged the US and relevant parties to stop selling weapons to Taiwan. In October 2020, Beijing also announced sanctions against Raytheon and other defense contractors and “relevant American individuals.” A day later, the State Department said it had notified Congress of plans for a $2.37 billion sale of Harpoon attack missiles to Taiwan.
Taiwan is on track to have one of the largest F-16 fleets in Asia once it receives 66 new-build F-16 C/D Block 70 aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The new fighter jets are expected to come to Taiwan by the end of 2026.