Taiwan Secures $700M Advanced Missile System Battle-Tested Against Russian Forces

The United States has officially authorized the sale to Taiwan of an advanced air defense missile system valued at nearly $700 million, technology that has proven its worth in defending Ukraine against Russian attacks. This represents the second major weapons approval for Taiwan in just one week, bringing the total value of recent military sales to approximately $1 billion. The decision underscores Washington’s ongoing commitment to bolstering Taiwan’s defensive posture in the face of mounting regional security challenges.
Known as the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, this medium-range air defense platform manufactured by RTX will provide Taiwan with sophisticated capabilities currently operated by only two other Indo-Pacific nations: Australia and Indonesia. The arrangement includes three complete NASAMS units as part of a larger $2 billion weapons package that the United States government announced last year. According to the Pentagon’s disclosure, RTX has received a firm fixed-price contract covering the procurement of these systems, with project completion scheduled for February 2031, and funding of approximately $698.9 million being allocated from fiscal 2026 foreign military sales resources designated specifically for Taiwan.
The NASAMS technology has earned recognition through its operational use in Ukraine, where it has successfully defended against Russian aerial threats, demonstrating real-world effectiveness in active combat conditions. This proven performance has driven substantial international interest in the system, with demand surging among nations seeking reliable air defense solutions. At an American Chamber of Commerce event in Taiwan, Raymond Greene, who functions as the United States’ top representative in Taipei, declared that America’s commitments to Taiwan are rock solid and will remain so. He emphasized that Washington is translating these commitments into concrete actions, particularly through expanding defense industrial cooperation aimed at supporting Taiwan’s strategy of pursuing peace through demonstrated strength.
This latest approval follows another significant weapons deal announced last Thursday, when the United States authorized the sale of $330 million worth of fighter jet components and aircraft parts to Taiwan. That transaction marked the first major arms sale approved under the Trump administration since the president took office in January, eliciting appreciation from Taipei while provoking anger in Beijing. China continues to assert sovereignty over Taiwan, a claim that the island’s government categorically rejects. These arms sales are occurring during a period of escalating diplomatic tensions that extend beyond Beijing and Taipei to also involve Japan, as territorial disputes in the East China Sea create additional complications.
Recent developments have highlighted the tense security situation in the region. Chinese coast guard vessels recently transited through waters surrounding islands in the East China Sea that are administered by Japan but claimed by China. Moreover, Japanese defense forces scrambled fighter jets after detecting a Chinese drone operating between Taiwan and Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island. Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo responded to these incidents by urging China to abandon the use of force in resolving disagreements. Taiwan is pursuing comprehensive military modernization, including developing indigenous submarine capabilities to protect vital maritime trade routes. Chinese military forces conduct operations around Taiwan almost daily, employing what Taipei describes as “grey zone” tactics designed to test defenses and exhaust military resources. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, American law mandates that Washington provide Taiwan with the means for self-defense, a policy that remains a consistent source of friction with Beijing.