The United States has confirmed the sale of an advanced missile system to Taiwan for nearly $700 million that has been tested in combat in Ukraine, Reuters reports.
This is its second arms package in a week, bringing the total value to $1 billion. Washington has reaffirmed its support for Taipei. In the Indo-Pacific region, only Australia and Indonesia already operate such systems, and the US has said Taiwan will receive three of them as part of a $2 billion arms sale. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), as it is called, is manufactured by RTX and is a new weapon for Taiwan. The Pentagon said the company had been awarded a firm, fixed-price contract to purchase the NASAMS devices, with work expected to be completed in February 2031. “Foreign military sales commitments (to Taiwan) for fiscal year 2026 totaling $698,948,760 have been made,” the Pentagon said. Used in Ukraine to defend against Russian invasion, the NASAMS system offers a sharp an increase in air defense capabilities that the United States exports to Taiwan as demand for them grows.
"It must be clear today and in the future that America's commitment to Taiwan is unwavering," said Raymond Green, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taipei.
"We back those words with action, focusing on supporting Taiwan's efforts to achieve peace through strength. Nowhere is that more evident than in our growing defense industry cooperation."
Last week's U.S. approval of a $330 million sale of fighter jets and other aircraft parts to Taiwan was the first such deal since President Donald Trump took office in January. That has drawn gratitude in Taipei and anger in Beijing.
The news of the arms sales comes amid a worsening diplomatic crisis between Beijing and Tokyo over Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, although Taipei rejects those claims.
On Sunday, Chinese coast guard ships sailed around a group of islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan but claimed by China.
Japan said it had also scrambled fighter jets a day earlier after China launched a drone between Taiwan and Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni. Asked about the tensions, Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo said China should not resort to force to resolve disputes.
Taiwan's military is beefing up its weapons to better deal with a possible attack from China, through efforts such as building its own submarines to protect key sea supply lines.
The Chinese military operates around Taiwan almost daily in what Taipei calls a "gray zone" to test and exhaust Taiwan's forces.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, the United States is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, angering Beijing.