US Approves $700 Million Air-Defence Sale to Taiwan
The United States has confirmed a potential sale of an advanced air-defence missile system to Taiwan valued at nearly US $700 million. The deal is reported to involve the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to‐Air Missile System) medium-range air-defence solution, manufactured by RTX Corporation, which is already operational in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.
Strategic Context and Regional Fallout
The sale represents one of Taipei’s most significant defence procurements from the US in recent years and comes amid heightened tension across the Taiwan Strait. China strongly opposes major arms transfers to Taiwan, regarding them as interference in its internal affairs. The US framed the approval as reinforcing its commitment to Taiwan’s security amid growing regional threats and competition.
Implications for Taiwan and the Region
The key outcome for Taiwan is a substantial boost in its air-defence capability, helping to deter advanced aerial and missile threats. However, the approval also raises the spectre of escalated military posturing and diplomatic backlash from Beijing. Analysts say implementing the deal will require careful coordination on logistics, delivery schedules, training and integration into Taiwan’s broader defence architecture.
