To better tackle the relentless “grey zone” warfare tactics employed by China, Taiwan is set to receive a major upgrade in its air defense network: the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). The United States confirmed the $700 million sale, which will see defense firm RTX producing the units for delivery through 2031. This system, which has proven highly effective in Ukraine, is designed to counter the very types of aerial threats that China frequently uses to harass and pressure the island.
The sale is part of a massive week for U.S.-Taiwan defense relations, totaling $1 billion in new agreements. Alongside the NASAMS, the U.S. approved $330 million for aircraft logistics and parts. This surge in support aligns with comments from Raymond Greene, the U.S. representative in Taipei, who recently affirmed that American commitments are “rock solid.” Greene noted that the U.S. is focused on substantive actions to support Taiwan’s defense capabilities in the face of a growing threat.
China’s military strategy involves near-daily operations around Taiwan, a tactic viewed by Taipei as an attempt to exhaust their forces without engaging in full-scale war. However, these maneuvers are increasingly creating friction with other regional players. Japan recently scrambled jets after a Chinese drone flew between Taiwan and the Japanese island of Yonaguni, adding to tensions caused by Chinese coast guard incursions in the East China Sea.
Taiwan’s response to this aggression is a mix of foreign procurement and domestic innovation. While buying battle-tested systems like NASAMS from the U.S., the island is also building its own submarines to defend vital maritime supply lines. This dual approach aims to create a layered defense that makes any potential military action by China prohibitively costly.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo addressed the rising temperature in the region by calling on Beijing to change its strategic thinking. “China should abandon its thinking of using force to resolve things,” Koo told reporters, emphasizing that disputes should be handled diplomatically rather than through military coercion. Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. continues to fulfill its legal obligation to ensure Taiwan has the tools necessary to defend its democracy.