US sends damaged and mouldy equipment to Taiwan
- The Pentagon's inquiry found that military equipment sent to Taiwan was damaged and mouldy due to prolonged exposure at an airforce base.
- The US incurred costs exceeding $182,000 for cleaning and replacing the compromised body armor.
- This incident raises serious concerns about the US's reliability in supporting Taiwan against potential Chinese threats.
The US has faced scrutiny after sending damaged military equipment to Taiwan, raising concerns about its reliability as a supporter of the island amid potential threats from China. An investigation by the Pentagon revealed that equipment, including body armor and ammunition, was left exposed to the elements at an airforce base for three months, leading to significant deterioration. The cleaning and replacement of the mouldy body armor alone cost over $182,000. This incident has prompted fears that such failures could undermine Taiwan's trust in the US as a dependable ally. The situation highlights the bureaucratic issues within the US defense system and the potential implications for Taiwan's security in the face of increasing Chinese aggression.