The US is sending $700 million worth of missiles to Taiwan. The weapon has already been tested in the war in Ukraine
The United States has confirmed the sale to Taiwan of an advanced missile system worth nearly $700 million, already tested in combat in Ukraine. This is the second arms package in a week, bringing the total to $1 billion.
NASAMS anti-aircraft system PHOTO Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock
In the Indo-Pacific region, only Australia and Indonesia still operate the system, of which the United States announced last year that Taiwan would receive three units as part of a $2 billion arms sale.
The medium-range air defense systems NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), as they are called, are produced by RTX and represent a new weapon for Taiwan, Reuters notes.
According to the Pentagon, the company has been awarded a firm, fixed-price contract to procure the NASAMS units, with work expected to be completed in February 2031.
“Fiscal Year 2026 (Taiwan) Foreign Military Sales Funds in the amount of $698,948,760 have been committed”according to a statement issued on Monday.
Used in Ukraine to defend against Russian invasion, the NASAMS systems provide a significant boost to air defense capabilities, which the United States is now exporting to Taiwan amid growing demand.
“Unwavering” support
“It should be clear today and will remain clear in the future that America's commitments to Taiwan are unwavering”said Raymond Greene, the de facto US ambassador to Taipei, at an American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan event on Tuesday.
“We are backing these words with actions, focusing on supporting Taiwan's efforts to achieve peace through strength. This is most evident in our growing cooperation in the defense industry.”
Thursday's approval of a $330 million sale of parts for fighter jets and other aircraft to Taiwan was the first such deal since President Donald Trump took office in January, prompting praise from Taipei and anger in Beijing.
The announcement of the arms sales comes amid an increasingly tense diplomatic crisis between Beijing and Tokyo over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, although the Taipei government rejects Beijing's claims.
On Sunday, Chinese coast guard vessels passed through the waters around a group of islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan but claimed by China.
Japan also said it had raised fighter jets on Saturday after China sent a drone between Taiwan and Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni.
Taiwan's military is beefing up its armaments to better deal with a possible attack from China, with efforts such as building its own submarines to protect vital sea supply lines.
The Chinese military conducts activities around Taiwan almost daily in a strategy of “gray area”designed to test and exhaust Taiwanese forces.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, much to Beijing's constant irritation.
