US Confirms $700M Deal to Arm Taiwan with Ukraine-Tested NASAMS Defense System

The United States has officially confirmed a significant escalation in its defense support for Taiwan, announcing a firm contract to supply the island with the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). Valued at approximately $700 million, this system has gained global renown for its effectiveness in protecting Ukrainian cities from Russian missile barrages. The sale underscores a strategic transfer of battle-hardened technology to the Indo-Pacific, where tensions continue to simmer. While the system is currently operated in the region only by Australia and Indonesia, Taiwan is set to join this exclusive group as part of a broader $2 billion weapons package originally signaled last year.
The Pentagon revealed that the contract has been awarded to defense giant RTX (formerly Raytheon) as a fixed-price agreement, ensuring the procurement of these medium-range air defense solutions. The timeline for this deployment is set for the long term, with work estimated to be completed by February 2031. Funding for the project has already been secured, with nearly $699 million in fiscal 2026 foreign military sales funds obligated. This forward-looking financial commitment highlights the enduring nature of the security partnership between Washington and Taipei, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations.
This announcement marks the second major arms package for Taiwan in a single week, bringing the total value of recently approved defense sales to roughly $1 billion. Just days prior, the US authorized a $330 million deal for fighter jet parts and other aircraft logistical support. These moves have drawn sharp rebukes from Beijing, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan. However, US officials remain undeterred. Raymond Greene, the de facto US ambassador in Taipei, stated clearly at an American Chamber of Commerce event that US commitments to the island are “rock solid” and backed by concrete actions.
The operational context for this sale is a deteriorating security environment in the East China Sea. Taiwan’s military is facing daily pressure from Chinese forces employing “grey zone” tactics—coercive actions meant to exhaust defenders without triggering full-scale war. In response, Taiwan is not only importing advanced systems like NASAMS but is also bolstering its indigenous defense industry, including the construction of submarines to protect vital maritime supply lines. The NASAMS system, known for its ability to intercept drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles, offers a “sharp boost” to Taiwan’s ability to deny air superiority to any potential aggressor.
Regional friction has also entangled Japan, with recent incidents involving Chinese coast guard ships and drones near Japanese-controlled islands. Amidst this volatility, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo has called for calm, urging China to abandon the use of force to resolve political disputes. However, as demand for effective air defense surges globally due to conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the US prioritization of Taiwan for the NASAMS production line sends a powerful signal about where Washington believes the next major strategic challenge lies.