US Boosts Taiwan's Defence with $700m Missile System Sale, Amid Rising Tensions with China
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The United States has confirmed the sale of a $700 million air defence missile system to Taiwan, its second major arms deal in a week. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is a medium-range air defence solution that has been battle-tested in Ukraine, where it helped defend against Russia's invasion. This sale marks a significant upgrade in Taiwan's air defence capabilities, which has been under strain due to China's military activities in the region. The NASAMS system, made by RTX, is a new addition to Taiwan's military arsenal and is expected to be completed by February 2031. The US has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, with the de facto ambassador in Taipei, Raymond Greene, stating that America's commitments to Taiwan are 'rock solid.' This comes as tensions between Taiwan and China continue to escalate, with China's coast guard ships sailing through waters around Japanese islands claimed by China. Taiwan's military is beefing up its armaments to counter any potential attack from China, which has been operating around Taiwan on an almost daily basis. The US has bound itself by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, a move that has consistently angered Beijing. The sale of the NASAMS system is part of a larger $1 billion weapons package, with the US also approving the sale of fighter jet and aircraft parts to Taiwan for $330 million. The arms sales news has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Beijing and Tokyo, with China claiming Taiwan as its own territory.
