US confirms new missile defence package for Taipei

TAIPEI: The United States confirmed the sale to Taiwan of an advanced missile system worth almost $700 million (2.3 billion baht), which has been battle-tested in Ukraine, its second weapons package in a week, bringing the total to $1 billion, and reaffirmed support for Taipei.

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In the Indo-Pacific region, only Australia and Indonesia now operate the system, three of which the United States said last year Taiwan would receive as part of a $2-billion weapons sale.

The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams) medium-range air defence solutions, as they are called, are made by RTX, and are a new weapon for Taiwan.

The Pentagon said the company was given a firm fixed-price contract for procurement of the Nasams units, with work estimated to be completed in February 2031.