TAIPEI: The US confirmed the sale to Taiwan of a complicated air defence missile system value nearly US$700 million, which has been battle-tested in Ukraine, within the second such weapons bundle for Taipei in per week.
Within the Indo-Pacific area, solely Australia and Indonesia now function the system, three of which the US stated final yr Taiwan would obtain as a part of a US$2-billion weapons sale.
The Nationwide Superior Floor-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) medium-range air defence options, as they’re known as, are made by RTX and are a brand new weapon for Taiwan.
The Pentagon stated the corporate was given a agency fixed-price contract for procurement of the NASAMS models, with work estimated to be accomplished in February 2031.
“Fiscal 2026 overseas army gross sales (Taiwan) funds within the quantity of US$698,948,760 had been obligated,” it stated in an announcement on Monday (Nov 17).
RTX didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Utilized in Ukraine to defend in opposition to the Russian invasion, the NASAMS system gives a pointy increase in air defence capabilities that the US is exporting to Taiwan as demand for it surges.
The US authorised the sale of fighter jet and different plane elements to Taiwan for US$330 million on Thursday, within the first such deal since President Donald Trump took workplace in January, prompting thanks from Taipei and anger in Beijing.
The arms gross sales information comes amid a worsening diplomatic disaster between Beijing and Tokyo over Taiwan, claimed by China as its personal territory, though the island’s authorities rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
On Sunday, Chinese language coast guard ships sailed by means of waters round a gaggle of East China Sea islands managed by Japan however claimed by China.
