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US Approves $700M Missile Sale to Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with China
The US announces the sale of advanced NASAMS air defense systems to Taiwan worth $700M, signaling strong support for Taipei amid escalating tensions with Beijing.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-19
US Approves $700M Missile Sale to Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with China

The United States has announced the sale of an advanced air defense system to the self-ruled island, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring Taiwan’s defense capabilities amid growing tensions with China. The $698.9 million sale will deliver the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), a battle-tested missile system that has been used to defend against Russian air strikes in Ukraine.

NASAMS Sale to Taiwan

The deal, which marks the second major weapons package announced by the US this week, is a part of Washington’s ongoing effort to bolster Taiwan’s defense against potential threats from China. NASAMS, manufactured by Raytheon Technologies (RTX), is a medium-range air defense system that offers Taiwan enhanced capabilities to protect itself from aerial threats. The contract will see Taiwan receive the NASAMS units by February 2031.

The Pentagon confirmed the deal on Monday, stating that $698,948,760 in fiscal 2026 foreign military sales funds were obligated for the procurement. NASAMS is not a new system in the Asia-Pacific, with Australia and Indonesia already operating it. However, Taiwan’s acquisition marks a significant step in strengthening its air defense capabilities.

The missile system has proven highly effective in Ukraine, where it has been used to intercept Russian missiles and drones. The move underscores the growing demand for such systems in the region, where China’s increasing military assertiveness has heightened concerns about Taiwan's security.

US Commitment to Taiwan’s Defense

The approval of NASAMS comes just days after the US approved the sale of warplanes and aircraft parts to Taiwan for $330 million, marking the first such deal since President Donald Trump took office. US officials, including Raymond Greene, the de facto US ambassador in Taiwan, have reiterated Washington's “rock-solid” support for Taiwan.

“It should be clear today and will remain clear into the future that America’s commitments to Taiwan are rock-solid,” Greene said during a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei. “We are backing these words with actions, with a focus on supporting Taiwan’s efforts to achieve peace through strength.”

This arms deal is the latest in a series of defense packages that the US has authorized for Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, which mandates that the US help Taiwan maintain the means to defend itself, despite lacking formal diplomatic relations.

Rising Tensions in the Region

The announcement of the NASAMS sale comes amid a growing diplomatic and military crisis between China and neighboring countries over Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has consistently vowed to “reunify” the island with the mainland, by force if necessary. The US’s continuing arms sales to Taiwan have long been a point of contention for Beijing, which views these actions as interference in its domestic affairs.

The tensions in the region were further exacerbated on November 7, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that Japan could intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. This suggestion sparked a fierce response from China and led to a flurry of military activities in the region.

Just days after Takaichi’s remarks, Chinese coastguard ships sailed near a group of East China Sea islands controlled by Japan, but claimed by China. In response, Japan scrambled jets to monitor the situation. China also flew a drone between Taiwan and Japan’s Yonaguni Island, a move that was seen as further provocation.

Taiwan’s Military Response

Taiwan, which faces daily military pressure from China through air and naval operations around the island, has been increasing its defense spending. The Taiwanese military is investing in new systems, including homegrown submarines, to protect vital maritime supply lines. Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo has called for China to abandon its “thinking of using force” to resolve disputes and said that Taiwan’s forces would continue to strengthen their readiness.

The US-China-Taiwan Triangle

Despite the tensions, the US remains Taiwan’s most important international ally. Although the US does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it is legally bound to provide military support to the island under the Taiwan Relations Act. The US has increasingly been supplying Taiwan with advanced weaponry, including air defense systems, aircraft, and missile technology, in a clear signal of its support against the growing Chinese threat.

The US-China diplomatic and military standoff over Taiwan continues to escalate, with Beijing warning the US to cease its arms sales to Taiwan. However, the US has made it clear that its commitments to Taiwan’s security will not be swayed by Beijing’s objections.

Looking Ahead

As tensions in the Taiwan Strait continue to grow, the US’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense remains strong, with these recent arms sales providing Taiwan with crucial tools to bolster its defense. With China continuing to assert its territorial claims and military activities in the region, it remains to be seen how both sides will navigate this increasingly volatile geopolitical situation.

 
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taiwan

AirDefense

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