The United States approved an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, marking the largest-ever weapons deal for the island amid rising military pressure from China and regional tensions.
The proposed sale includes eight key items, such as HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius loitering drones, and parts for other defence equipment, Taiwan’s defence ministry confirmed.
Officials said the deal aims to enhance Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities, strengthen deterrence, and support asymmetric warfare strategies, allowing the island to defend itself against potential aggression while maintaining regional peace.
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The package is currently at the Congressional notification stage, giving lawmakers the opportunity to review, block, or modify the deal, although Taiwan enjoys broad cross-party support for bolstering its military.
China condemned the sale, accusing the US of undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait and supporting “Taiwan independence,” warning that such actions would fail and escalate tensions with Beijing.
Taiwan’s government welcomed the sale, highlighting plans to strengthen defence resilience and a $40 billion supplementary budget from 2026 to 2033 to modernize the armed forces, while US officials see the package as crucial to deterrence.