By Focus | 2025-02-21

TAIPEI -- Taiwan is negotiating a multibillion-dollar arms deal with the United States as China ramps up military pressure on the island, Reuters reported February 17, citing three anonymous sources.

The potential purchase, valued between $7 billion and $10 billion, could include coastal defense cruise missiles (CDCMs) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

While Taiwan's Ministry of Defense declined to confirm the arms negotiations, it reiterated its commitment to strengthening national security.

"All defense budgets align with government policy, and the plans will be shared once they are finalized," ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said at a weekly briefing February 18.

The White House did not comment on the potential deal. However, in remarks last month, US national security adviser Mike Waltz said he wants to increase delivery of weapons to Taiwan.

Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which has not ruled out violently bringing the island under its control.

The latest development comes amid escalating military activities by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) around Taiwan. US military leaders have increasingly characterized the drills as rehearsals for forced reunification with the mainland.

The United States must accelerate efforts to close capability gaps with China, Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, warned recently.

"Our magazines run low. Our maintenance backlogs grow longer each month," he said at a security forum in Hawaii February 13.

'Serious' about defense

A source familiar with the potential deal indicated that Taiwan plans to propose a special defense budget prioritizing precision munitions, air defense upgrades, command-and-control systems and counter-drone technologies, Reuters reported.

A report from the Financial Times last November 14 suggested that Taiwan has been eyeing a broader array of advanced US military systems, including Aegis destroyers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, Patriot missiles and even F-35 fighter jets.

Taiwan is making these purchases to "show that they are serious" about defense, a US national security analyst familiar with the discussions said.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on February 14 announced plans to push a special defense budget to raise military spending beyond 3% of GDP.

Meanwhile, regional allies are also taking note of China's growing military assertiveness.

Australia and New Zealand closely monitor Chinese warships near their waters, while Papua New Guinea is negotiating a defense treaty with Australia to counter Beijing's influence.

India, too, is deepening its defense partnership with the United States in response to the shifting power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.