Taiwan thanked the United States today for agreeing to sell 40 howitzer artillery systems in a 750 million dollar deal that will help the island better defend itself from a Chinese invasion.<br />''<br />''Taipei's foreign ministry said Thursday it was the first major arms sale announced since President Joe Biden took office in January and would help the island, maintain a rock-solid self-defence and regional peace and stability.<br />''<br />''The State Department approved the sale of 40 155mm M109A6 medium self-propelled howitzer artillery systems on Wednesday in a deal that will need to be approved by Congress.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #000000;">Moveable howitzers would be key to halting an invasion, enabling Taiwan's military to direct fire at incoming troop transport ships and shell landing beaches.</span><br />