The Biden administration has recently announced a new arms sale to Taiwan, which includes advanced ground-to-air missile systems (NASAMS). This system, developed jointly by Norway and the United States, has been utilized by Ukraine in its conflict against Russia. With the presidential elections in the U.S. approaching next month, this announcement came just ten days prior to the polls. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) revealed on the 25th that the State Department approved the sale of two long-range air defense radar systems and the NASAMS, totaling approximately $1.988 billion.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesperson, Kolas Yotaka, stated that this marks the 17th arms sale to Taiwan since Biden took office in 2021 and is the largest since his administration began. She emphasized that this reflects the U.S. government’s steadfast commitment to Taiwan’s security. Taiwan is determined to strengthen its self-defense and uphold a rules-based international order to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the DSCA’s press release, the State Department approved the sale of the AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 radar systems, including logistics support such as spare parts and personnel training, with an estimated total value of about $828 million.
The DSCA noted that these sales would enhance Taiwan’s mid-range and long-range aerial surveillance capabilities, helping the island respond to current and future threats, thereby improving its security and maintaining regional political stability, military balance, and economic development.
Additionally, the DSCA disclosed that the State Department approved the sale of the advanced ground-to-air missile system valued at $1.16 billion, with Raytheon as the primary contractor. The announcement mentioned that Taiwan requested three sets of the advanced ground-to-air missile systems (including three AN/MPQ-64F1 systems and 123 missiles).
This missile system is currently used by Ukraine in its battle against Russia. Ukraine purchased missile systems from the U.S. in May of last year and has received additional ammunition in subsequent military assistance. John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, mentioned in June that the U.S. would prioritize supplying this system to Ukraine over allies’ needs.
The DSCA stated that this arms sale will bolster Taiwan’s air defense capabilities, enhance regional security, and improve military interoperability with the U.S. military using NASAMS. This sale aligns with U.S. national, economic, and security interests, enabling Taiwan to modernize its military to maintain a reliable defense capability.
In response to China’s frequent military activities around the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense noted that the advanced ground-to-air missile system possesses automated reconnaissance, fire distribution control, and intelligence integration abilities, which have been validated in combat during the Ukraine-Russia war. This capability will enhance the overall defensive effectiveness of Taiwan’s military. Along with the two new radar systems, Taiwan aims to improve target detection rates and resistance to interference, allowing for flexible deployments of existing mid- to long-range air defense units to establish a robust multilayered defense system for national security.
The Ministry of National Defense reiterated that the U.S. government’s arms sales to Taiwan, based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, will aid in enhancing Taiwan’s defense resilience and contribute to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
