The Pentagon has taken a long-term view on cross-strait security, announcing a contract for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) for Taiwan that extends through February 2031. This $700 million deal with defense giant RTX is more than a simple transaction; it is a structured, multi-year commitment to modernizing Taiwan’s air defense capabilities. By obligating fiscal 2026 foreign military sales funds now, Washington is locking in its support for Taipei well into the next decade, regardless of potential political shifts.
This forward-looking contract is part of a broader $2 billion package first hinted at last year. It represents a significant upgrade for Taiwan, which faces daily incursions from Chinese warplanes and drones. The NASAMS system is prized for its modularity and high success rate, traits that have been vividly demonstrated in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Currently, the system is a rarity in the Asian theater, with only Australia and Indonesia possessing it, making Taiwan a priority recipient of this high-demand technology.
The announcement caps a week of intense activity, bringing the total value of new US arms deals for Taiwan to $1 billion. This includes a separate $330 million agreement for fighter jet parts, the first such approval under the current US administration. These moves have drawn the ire of Beijing, which demands reunification with Taiwan. However, Raymond Greene, the senior US diplomat in Taipei, dismissed doubts about American resolve, declaring that the commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense is “rock solid” and backed by tangible “actions.”
The strategic logic behind the 2031 timeline is clear: it counters the narrative that US support is fleeting or distracted by other global conflicts. Instead, it integrates Taiwan deeper into the US defense industrial base. As China employs “grey zone” tactics to wear down Taiwan’s existing forces, the promise of incoming, state-of-the-art air defense units provides both a morale boost and a concrete planning factor for Taiwan’s military strategists.
Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo continues to advocate for peace, urging China to “abandon its thinking of using force.” Yet, the island is preparing for all eventualities. From building its own submarines to integrating these new US missiles, Taiwan is adopting a “porcupine” strategy—making itself too difficult and costly to attack. The NASAMS deal ensures that this porcupine will have very sharp quills for years to come.