U.S. Approves Record‑Breaking Arms Package for Taiwan Amid Rising China Tensions
WASHINGTON / TAIPEI — The United States government has announced an unprecedented US$11.1 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, marking the largest weapons deal the island has ever been offered by Washington. The move, formally notified to the U.S. Congress this week, reflects growing strategic cooperation between Taipei and Washington as China increases military pressure in the region.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, the proposed arms sale — spanning eight separate equipment packages — includes sophisticated systems such as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), mobile howitzers, Javelin and TOW anti‑tank missiles, and a range of surveillance and loitering drones. Once Congress completes its mandatory review period, contracts will be finalised and deliveries can begin.
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Why This Sale Matters
The U.S. government says the weapons are designed to strengthen Taiwan’s self‑defense capabilities under its existing legal obligations — notably the Taiwan Relations Act — which require America to help ensure Taiwan can defend itself. U.S. and Taiwanese officials describe the build‑up of asymmetric warfare capabilities as vital for deterring potential aggression, without fundamentally altering the military balance in the region.
From Taiwan’s perspective, bolstering its defense is seen as crucial in light of expanded military activity by China, which claims the democratic island as part of its territory and has not renounced the use of force to achieve “reunification.” defense officials in Taipei have publicly expressed gratitude for U.S. support and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing national resilience amid these strategic challenges.
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Regional and Diplomatic Fallout
The announcement is likely to heighten tensions between the U.S. and China. Beijing traditionally condemns arms sales to Taiwan as interference in its internal affairs and a violation of the so‑called One China principle, which asserts that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of a single Chinese sovereign state — a position the U.S. officially acknowledges but does not endorse.
China’s government has often publicly opposed such sales and warned that they undermine stability and harm bilateral relations. While Beijing has not yet issued an official response to the latest package, similar past sales have been met with stern diplomatic objections and threats of “counter‑measures.”
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Broader Strategic Context
The $11.1 billion deal is the largest in recent history for Taiwan and the second major arms notification under the current U.S. administration. It comes as Taiwanese leaders seek to modernise their armed forces and expand defence budgets significantly — part of an effort to enhance deterrence against potential escalation in the Taiwan Strait.
Observers note that these weapons packages reflect a broader U.S. strategy to support Taiwan while attempting to prevent open conflict in the Indo‑Pacific — a region increasingly viewed as central to global geopolitical stability. Analysts also point out that such sales are balanced against domestic and diplomatic pressures, including concerns about provoking China and risking broader instability.
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— Aaron Joyce, L.T.T Media
— L.T.T Media Newsdesk
18 December 2025
