Taiwan Gets “Sharp Boost” in Air Defense to Counter Chinese Drone Tactics

In a direct response to the evolving nature of aerial warfare, the United States has confirmed the sale of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Taiwan. Valued at approximately $700 million, this system is specifically optimized to counter the types of threats that have become prevalent in modern conflicts: unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), cruise missiles, and helicopter attacks. The acquisition offers a “sharp boost” to Taiwan’s tactical capabilities as it faces a neighbor that operates drones around the island on a near-daily basis.
The Pentagon’s announcement outlines a firm fixed-price contract with RTX, the manufacturer of the system, with work to be completed by February 2031. This procurement is derived from fiscal 2026 foreign military sales funds. The NASAMS is battle-tested; its performance in Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to protect critical infrastructure from saturation attacks. For Taiwan, which fears a “decapitation strike” or a blockade by drones and missiles, this system provides a vital defensive layer.
This deal is part of a larger $1 billion arms package approved this week, which includes $330 million for fighter jet parts. The timing is critical. China has been employing a “grey zone” strategy, flying sorties into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) to exhaust the island’s air force and radar operators. The automated and highly effective NASAMS allows Taiwan to defend key areas without constantly risking expensive fighter jets for every potential threat.
Regionally, the threat of drone warfare is expanding. Japan recently reported a Chinese drone flying between Taiwan and Yonaguni island, prompting a scramble of jets. Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo has cited these tensions in his calls for China to “abandon its thinking of using force.” By acquiring a system that is currently operated in the Indo-Pacific only by Australia and Indonesia, Taiwan is modernizing its force structure to meet these specific, high-tech challenges.
Raymond Greene, the US representative in Taipei, framed the sale as part of a “rock solid” commitment to Taiwan’s security. He noted that “growing defense industrial cooperation” is essential for maintaining peace through strength. By equipping Taiwan with the tools to neutralize drone and missile threats, the US is aiming to deny China the ability to coerce the island through low-cost aerial harassment, raising the stakes for any future aggression.