Uyghur Times
WASHINGTON, D.C. In a joint effort, Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Representative Young Kim (R-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, have issued a compelling letter to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. Their plea? To expedite the production and sale of essential weaponry that Taiwan requires to safeguard its sovereignty in the face of a potential Chinese Communist Party invasion. Specifically, they emphasize the urgency of delivering Harpoon and SLAM-ER missiles to Taiwan’s defense arsenal.
In the strongly-worded letter, the lawmakers stress the critical nature of the situation, stating, “Our nation’s leaders have unequivocally warned us that time is running out to deter the Chinese Communist Party from launching an invasion of Taiwan, a crucial ally of the United States. However, the bureaucratic hindrances within the Navy are causing undue delays in the production and distribution of vital weaponry, particularly anti-ship missiles, which are imperative in our collective efforts to avert conflict.”
Seeking to rectify the delays and streamline the process, the representatives have posed a series of pertinent questions to Secretary Del Toro, including:
- An inquiry about the expected timeline for the completion of the delivery of 400 Harpoon missiles, as well as 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense launch systems and radar units.
- An exploration of the Navy’s available options for expediting the production and swift delivery of these missiles and systems to Taiwan.
- An examination of alternative methods beyond the standard Foreign Military Sales procedure, which could facilitate the contracting, production, and timely distribution of the weaponry referenced in the letter.
The letter highlights the lawmakers’ unwavering commitment to strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities and deterring any hostile actions by the Chinese Communist Party. As the threat looms large, the call for rapid action echoes across the congressional chambers, underscoring the need for a prompt and efficient response in ensuring Taiwan’s security and stability.
