U.S. Sells $700-M Air Defense System to Taiwan

The United States confirmed the sale to Taiwan of an advanced missile system worth almost $700 million, its second weapons package in a week bringing the total to $1 billion, and reaffirmed support for Taipei, Ben Blanchard reported for Reuters.

The Pentagon said the company was given a firm fixed-price contract for procurement of the NASAMS units. (Photo: Spanish Ministry of Defence)

In the Indo-Pacific region, only Australia and Indonesia currently operate the system, three of which the U.S. said last year Taiwan would receive as part of a $2-billion weapons sale.

The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) medium-range air defense solutions, as they are called, are made by RTX and represent a new weapon for Taiwan.

The Pentagon said the company was given a firm fixed-price contract for procurement of the NASAMS units, with work estimated to be completed in February 2031.

“Fiscal 2026 foreign military sales (Taiwan) funds in the amount of $698,948,760 were obligated," it said in a statement on Monday.

Used in Ukraine to defend against the Russian invasion, the NASAMS system offers a significant boost in air defense capabilities that the U.S. is exporting to Taiwan as demand for it surges.