TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Trump administration on Wednesday informed the US Congress of eight arms sales packages to Taiwan worth NT$350.3 billion (US$11.11 billion), expected to take effect within about a month.
The packages include the Taiwan Tactical Network and Tactical Assault Kit, Army AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter spare parts, and M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, per CNA. They also cover follow-on purchases of the HIMARS long-range precision strike system, TOW missiles, anti-armor loitering munition systems, Navy follow-on purchases of Javelin anti-armor missiles, and inspection and refurbishment of repairable components for Harpoon missiles.
The Ministry of National Defense said that five of the approved items, the M109A7 howitzers, follow-on purchases of the HIMARS system, TOW missiles, anti-armor loitering munitions, and Javelin missiles, are part of a special budget to strengthen defense resilience and asymmetric warfare capabilities. After the Legislative Yuan approves the special budget, the MND will proceed in accordance with regulations to sign the letters of offer and acceptance for the arms procurement cases.
The MND said the US, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, continues to assist Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense capabilities and in rapidly building robust deterrent forces that leverage asymmetric warfare advantages. It said that these defenses form the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this is the second batch of arms sales to Taiwan announced during the Trump administration's second term. It said this continues the policy of normalizing arms sales to Taiwan to help build a strong deterrent.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) welcomed this move, expressing his gratitude to the US for its long-term support for regional security and Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. He added that the US is taking concrete actions to implement its new National Security Strategy, reinforcing Taiwan’s strategic role and military deterrence in the Taiwan Strait.
