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Taiwan is reportedly planning additional orders for US weapons, including air defense systems and rocket launchers, as it faces increasing military pressure from its neighbor, China. The Taiwanese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
**Why It Matters**
The Chinese Communist Party has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, despite never having governed the island. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has vowed to use force if necessary to achieve unification and his armed forces are preparing for a potential invasion of Taiwan. While the U.S. no longer maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is required by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive arms and maintain its capability to resist any attempt to resolve cross-strait differences by non-peaceful means.
**What To Know**
Taiwan plans to acquire an additional 28 American rocket launchers—known as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)—and nine National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), according to a report in the Taiwanese newspaper Taipei Times. Taiwan previously agreed to purchase 29 HIMARS launchers, with the first 11 delivered in 2024 and used for live-fire exercises on the island that same month.
The U.S. has approved the sale of three NASAMS systems to Taiwan, which are expected to be deployed near Taipei by year-end. The additional systems will bolster defenses in central and southern Taiwan.
HIMARS is a long-range mobile launcher capable of firing various munitions, while NASAMS is a short-to-medium-range air defense system designed for protecting high-value assets. Ukraine has successfully employed both weapons against Russia.
Taiwan plans to procure 28 more HIMARS launchers and nine additional NASAMS systems in response to increasing military pressure from China. The Taiwanese military has already used its first batch of HIMARS in a live-fire exercise on May 12, 2025.
U.S. approval for these sales aims to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities, particularly in central and southern regions. Ukraine similarly uses HIMARS and NASAMS against Russian aggression.
Additional missiles like Javelin and TOW 2B are also being considered to enhance anti-armor defenses, with plans potentially involving over 2,000 new missiles based on Ukrainian usage and projected needs.
HIMARS is a long-range, mobile launcher capable of firing various munitions, while NASAMS provides short-to-medium range air defense for critical areas. Both systems are crucial in enhancing Taiwan’s defensive capabilities against increasing Chinese military pressure.
Taiwan plans to purchase additional U.S. weapons including 28 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and nine National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS). The HIMARS launchers, which can fire rockets or missiles, were used for the first time in a live-fire exercise on May 12, 2025. NASAMS is an air defense system designed to protect high-value assets.
Taiwan’s military also plans to acquire more Javelin and TOW anti-armor missiles, with up to 2,000 new missiles potentially ordered. These missiles were used effectively by Ukrainian forces against Russian targets. The U.S. has previously approved the sale of HIMARS launchers and NASAMS systems to Taiwan.
The Chinese Communist Party claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has threatened to use force if necessary for unification. In response, the U.S. supports Taiwan’s defense efforts, including increasing its military spending to around 10% of GDP.
Taiwan plans to purchase an additional 28 HIMARS rocket launchers and nine NASAMS air defense systems from the U.S. These weapons are meant to bolster defenses in central and southern Taiwan. Ukraine has also used these same systems effectively against Russia.
The Taiwanese military previously conducted a live-fire exercise with its first HIMARS launchers on May 12, 2025. Additionally, Taipei plans to purchase more Javelin and TOW missiles to enhance anti-armor capabilities, based on the Ukrainian usage of similar weapons.
China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, stated in April that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan cannot alter the strength disparity between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait nor hinder China’s reunification process. In contrast, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, emphasized America’s ongoing support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposition to unilateral changes through force or coercion.
Taiwan is reportedly planning additional weapons orders from the United States to bolster its defenses against increasing military pressure from China. According to a report by the Taiwanese newspaper Taipei Times, Taiwan plans to acquire 28 additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and nine National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS).
Taiwan had previously agreed to purchase 29 HIMARS launchers, with the first batch of 11 delivered in 2024. These new systems were used for a live-fire test exercise on the island in May 2025. The U.S. has approved three NASAMS for Taiwan, which will be deployed near Taipei, enhancing central and southern Taiwan’s defense.
HIMARS is a long-range, mobile launcher capable of firing different types of munitions, while NASAMS is a short-to-medium-range air defense system designed to protect high-value assets. Ukraine uses these systems against Russia.
Taiwan plans to acquire additional 28 HIMARS launchers and nine NASAMS from the U.S., as China increases its military pressure on Taiwan. According to reports, Taiwan previously agreed to purchase 29 HIMARS launchers, with the first 11 delivered in 2024. The additional systems will enhance central and southern Taiwan’s defenses.
The U.S. has approved the sale of three NASAMS to Taiwan, expected to be deployed near Taipei. Meanwhile, Taipei plans to acquire more Javelin and TOW missiles to bolster its anti-armor capabilities. Ukraine has successfully used HIMARS and NASAMS in its war against Russia.
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, despite not governing it. The Chinese Communist Party has vowed to use force if necessary for unification and is preparing for a potential invasion. In response, the U.S. advises Taiwan to increase its defense spending to about 10% of GDP.
Taiwan plans to purchase additional weapons from the U.S., including 28 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and nine National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS). Ukraine has successfully used these systems in its conflict against Russia.
According to reports, Taiwan previously agreed to buy 29 HIMARS launchers with the first 11 delivered in 2024. The U.S. also approved the sale of three NASAMS, expected to be deployed near Taipei by year-end. These acquisitions are aimed at enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities against potential Chinese aggression.
HIMARS is a long-range, mobile precision fire launcher capable of firing various munitions, while NASAMS is a short-to-medium range land-based air defense system. Ukraine has effectively used both systems in its conflict with Russia.
Taiwan also plans to buy additional Javelin and TOW missiles to enhance its anti-armor capabilities. According to reports, Taipei aims to acquire over 2,000 new missiles, based on Ukrainian usage and Taiwan’s estimated needs during a potential conflict.
China has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has vowed to use force if necessary for unification. In response, the U.S. is required by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with defensive arms and maintain its own capability to resist any attempt to resolve cross-strait differences by non-peaceful means.
Taiwan plans to purchase additional American weapons, including 28 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) launchers and nine National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS). Taiwan previously agreed to buy 29 HIMARS launchers, with the first batch delivered in 2024. These new systems will enhance central and southern Taiwan’s defenses.
The U.S. has also approved three NASAMS systems for Taiwan, which are expected to be deployed near Taipei by year-end. Ukraine uses both HIMARS and NASAMS in its war against Russia. Meanwhile, Taiwanese newspapers report that the military plans additional Javelin and TOW missiles to bolster anti-armor capabilities. The total number of new missiles could exceed 2,000 based on Ukrainian usage.
HIMARS is a long-range, mobile precision-fire launcher capable of firing various munitions, while NASAMS is a short-to-medium range air defense system for protecting bases, ports, and high-value assets. Ukraine has used both systems effectively in its war against Russia.
In April, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang emphasized that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan would not alter the strength imbalance across the Taiwan Strait or hinder China’s reunification process. Similarly, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce affirmed America’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, opposing any unilateral changes through force.
Taiwan plans additional weapons purchases from the United States, including 28 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and nine National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), as it faces increasing military pressure from China. The HIMARS can launch rockets or missiles, while NASAMS offer short to medium-range air defense for bases and populated areas.
Taiwan previously agreed to purchase 29 HIMARS launchers in 2024, with the first batch of 11 delivered that year. These systems were used during a live-fire exercise on the island in May 2025.
