The US Department of Defense has awarded Raytheon a $698.9-million contract to deliver multiple NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) fire units to Taiwan. The contract work will be carried out in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, with completion scheduled for February 2031. The program is supported through the Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 Foreign Military Sales funding and follows Washington’s recent approval of a separate $330-million spare parts package for Taiwan’s fighter fleet.
Taiwan formally included the NASAMS procurement in its 2026 national defense budget, allocating roughly NT$35.7 billion ($1.1 billion) for radars, launchers, training, and pre-delivery preparations through 2030. To ensure smooth progress, Taipei has deployed two military officers to the United States to oversee contract execution, monitor logistics, and coordinate production milestones with American partners.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense emphasized that NASAMS—widely recognized for its battlefield performance in the Russia–Ukraine war—will play a major role in strengthening its air-defense network amid increasing military pressure from China. The system features automated sensors, tracking capabilities, and command software capable of rapid threat identification and interception. The new launchers will be paired with two radar systems designed to enhance detection range and limit electronic interference.
Once operational, NASAMS will integrate with Taiwan’s medium- and long-range missile defenses to form a layered protective shield for key bases, ports, and infrastructure. The Republic of China Air Force noted that the mobile system will be stationed across bases, ports, and radar sites, providing a fast-moving, flexible defense that can rapidly reposition and distribute firepower according to emerging threats.
