REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker Acquire Licensing RightsAug 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it said in a statement.
The move could irritate Beijing, which repeatedly demanded the United States - Taiwan's most important arms supplier - halt the sale of weapons to the island.
The $500 million is the maximum potential value of the contract and the actual dollar value will be lower, the Pentagon said.
The United States unveiled a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to $345 million late last month.
Persons:
Paulo Whitaker, Tsai Ing, Katharine Jackson, David Ljunggren, Caitlin Webber
Organizations:
U.S . Air Force, Brazilian Air Force, REUTERS, U.S . State Department, Pentagon, Lockheed Martin Corp, United, State Department, Thomson
Locations:
CRUZEX, Natal, Brazil, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, China