TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The latest US weapons sale will boost Taiwan’s defense, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on Saturday (Oct. 26).
The US State Department announced the possible sale of three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), 123 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER), and two radar systems on Saturday, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The US-made NASAMS enhances Taiwan’s surveillance, fire distribution, command and control, and intelligence integration capabilities, which have proven effective in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, MND said. This arms package will also improve Taiwan’s overall air defense operations, it said.
The installation of the AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 Radar Turnkey Systems will increase target acquisition rates and bolster anti-interference capabilities, the ministry said. Together with the deployment of Taiwan's current medium- and long-range air defense assets, the nation’s multi-layered air defense network will be strengthened, it added.
The MND thanked the US for the potential sale and said it demonstrated the US’s commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. The sale will help Taiwan improve its defensive resilience and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
The NASAMS package is valued at US$1.16 billion (NT$37.21 billion), while the radar systems will cost US$828 million.
