US confirms sale of $700m air defence system to Taiwan
The United States has formally approved the sale of an advanced air-defense missile system to Taiwan valued at nearly $700 million, marking Washington’s second major arms package for Taipei in a week and bringing the total approved within days to roughly $1 billion.
The newly approved deal covers the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), a medium-range, battle-tested air-defense platform produced by RTX. The system, widely used in Ukraine to counter Russian missile and drone attacks, is being supplied to Taiwan for the first time. Only Australia and Indonesia currently operate NASAMS in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring the significance of Taiwan’s planned acquisition.
According to the Pentagon, RTX has been awarded a firm fixed-price contract for the NASAMS units, with production expected to be completed by February 2031. The US Defense Department said $698,948,760 in Foreign Military Sales funds for Taiwan from fiscal year 2026 have been obligated to support the purchase.
US officials said the system will provide Taiwan with a substantial upgrade to its air-defense network, which has come under growing pressure as China intensifies military activity around the island. Demand for NASAMS has surged globally since its deployment in Ukraine, where it has been credited with intercepting advanced Russian missiles.
Speaking in Taipei, Raymond Greene — Washington’s de facto ambassador to Taiwan — reaffirmed strong US support, saying America’s commitment to the island “is rock solid.” He told the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan that Washington is backing its words with concrete action, particularly through deepening defence industrial cooperation.
The new missile sale follows last Thursday’s approval of a $330 million package of fighter jet and aircraft parts — the first Taiwan arms deal under President Donald Trump’s current term. Taipei welcomed the move as vital for maintaining deterrence, while Beijing condemned the sale as interference in its internal affairs.
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