US moves ahead with major missile contract for Taiwan’s NASAMS program
Washington has authorized a $698.9 million contract for the production of NASAMS air-defense components destined for Taiwan, assigning the work to Raytheon. The package follows last week’s separate approval of a $330 million support sale for Taiwan’s F-16 and C-130 fleets. Taipei says NASAMS will strengthen its layered air-defense structure as tensions with China persist.
The United States has cleared a new $698.94 million contract covering the manufacture of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) units for Taiwan, according to a notification released by the Pentagon. The agreement, which designates Raytheon as the primary contractor, adds another layer to Washington’s ongoing military cooperation with Taipei at a time of heightened regional friction.
Production timeline and details
Under the contract terms, the NASAMS fire units will be produced at Raytheon’s facility in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, with completion scheduled for February 28, 2031. The latest award builds on a previous U.S. green light issued last year for the sale of three NASAMS batteries to the island.
Taipei’s defense planning
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, quoted by the Focus Taiwan portal, stated that the NASAMS platform is capable of real-time surveillance, command-and-control functions, and integration with broader intelligence networks. Officials noted that pairing NASAMS with existing medium- and long-range missile systems would help form a “multi-layered air-defense network” aimed at bolstering homeland security. For fiscal year 2026, Taipei has earmarked roughly $1.14 billion for additional NASAMS units, equipment, and training, as part of a multi-year procurement plan running from 2024 to 2030.
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Recent U.S. approvals and political context
The new package closely follows the approval of a separate $330 million sale involving spare parts and maintenance support for Taiwan’s F-16 and C-130 military aircraft. That deal marked the first arms transfer to Taiwan under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration and drew immediate objections from Beijing, which routinely opposes foreign defense cooperation with Taipei.
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