The United States’ military aid to Ukraine is delaying Taiwan’s weapon orders. US National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said on Monday that the US will continue communicating with its partners to understand their needs and help Taiwan receive its orders.
The US has sent a large number of weapons to Kyiv since the Russian army invaded Ukraine in February, which has affected its shipments to Taiwan. A Wall Street Journal report says the total value of delayed US weapons sales to Taiwan has increased from more than US$14 billion in December 2021 to US$18.7 billion this year.
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Boeing Company, and other suppliers also say they have struggled to keep up with orders due to pandemic-induced supply-chain issues. These issues were present even before the Ukraine invasion prompted an increase in weapons demand.
Kirby says the US is constantly balancing its own needs and those of arms sellers, Ukrainian military stockpiles, and its own allies and partners. He adds the Biden administration takes its responsibility seriously to help provide Taiwan with the self-defense capabilities it needs.
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also says the State Department and the Pentagon are reviewing the defense-trade sector to see how they can get weapons to Taiwan more quickly.