By Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Division has authorized a possible $1.1 billion sale of army gear to Taiwan, together with 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles, with China threatening to take counter measures.

The Pentagon introduced the bundle on Friday within the wake of China’s aggressive army drills round Taiwan following a go to to the island final month by U.S. Home of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking U.S. official to journey to Taipei in years.

The sale consists of Sidewinder missiles, which can be utilized for air-to-air and surface-attack missions, at a value of some $85.6 million, Harpoon anti-ship missiles at an estimated $355 million price and help for Taiwan’s surveillance radar program for an estimated $665.4 million, the Pentagon’s Protection Safety Cooperation Company (DSCA) mentioned.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese language Embassy in Washington, mentioned in an announcement the potential arms sale “severely jeopardizes China-U.S. relations and peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait.”

“China will resolutely take reliable and vital counter-measures in mild of the event of the scenario,” he mentioned.

President Joe Biden’s administration mentioned the bundle has been into account for a while and was developed in session with Taiwan and U.S. lawmakers.

“Because the PRC continues to extend strain on Taiwan – together with via heightened army air and maritime presence round Taiwan – and engages in makes an attempt to vary the established order within the Taiwan Strait, we’re offering Taiwan with what it wants to keep up its self-defense capabilities,” Laura Rosenberger, White Home senior director for China and Taiwan, mentioned in an announcement.

Reuters reported final month that the Biden administration was planning new gear for Taiwan however that the gear would maintain Taiwan’s present army techniques and fulfill current orders, not supply new capabilities, regardless of the heightened tensions that adopted Pelosi’s go to.

The Pentagon mentioned the gear and help introduced on Friday wouldn’t alter the essential army steadiness within the area. U.S. officers mentioned they didn’t replicate any change in coverage towards Taiwan.

“These proposed gross sales are routine circumstances to help Taiwan’s persevering with efforts to modernize its armed forces and to keep up a reputable defensive functionality,” a U.S. Division of State spokesperson mentioned, requesting anonymity.

Taiwan’s protection ministry expressed its thanks, including that China’s current “provocative” actions represented a critical risk and the arms sale would assist it face China’s army strain.

“On the identical time, it additionally demonstrates that it’s going to assist our nation strengthen its general protection capabilities and collectively keep the safety and peace of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific area,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement.

Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Enterprise Council, mentioned his group opposed what he termed a “restricted strategy” to arms gross sales to Taiwan.

“Because the (China’s) Individuals’s Liberation Military (PLA) not too long ago demonstrated in its mock blockade, the island faces a variety of threats that require a variety of capabilities. To disclaim the island the power to mount a full protection will, over time, create new gaps in Taiwan’s defenses that the PLA can exploit,” Hammond-Chambers mentioned in an announcement.

The order displays continued U.S. help for Taiwan as Taipei faces strain from China, which claims Taiwan as its personal territory and has by no means dominated out utilizing power to carry the democratically dominated island beneath its management.

The gross sales should be reviewed by Congress, however each Democratic and Republican congressional aides mentioned they don’t count on opposition. There have been a minimum of two different visits to Taiwan by members of Congress from each events since Pelosi’s go to, in addition to by governors of U.S. states, all condemned by Beijing.

The principal contractor for the Harpoon missiles is Boeing (NYSE:) Co. Raytheon (NYSE:) is the principal contractor for each the Sidewinders and the radar program.

Taipei says that because the Individuals’s Republic of China has by no means dominated the island, it has no proper to say it.