US, in prescribing Taiwan’s mission, rebuffs MH-60R sale
The ROC Navy operates ageing S-70C(M)-1 and -2 helicopters like this one, so it does need to replace them eventually. (Charles Au)
The current administration in the US is proving less willing than Trump was to sell military equipment to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s shopping spree from the US seems to have been terminated after President Joe Biden claimed the Oval Office.
The US has since adopted a less aggressive strategy and, by carefully picking out shopping items for Taiwan, a prospective MH-60R helicopter sale is now in jeopardy.
During the Trump administration, Taiwan was given an unprecedented opportunity to purchase modern weapons. Trump’s very clear manifesto was that Taiwan had to help form a containment line to prevent China from penetrating beyond the First Island Chain.
However, Biden’s concept is to sell US-made weapons that help Taiwan’s small military repel a seaborne
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Helicopters and CUAS set to dominate as Europe advances rearmament efforts]()
Eurosatory 2026: Helicopters and CUAS set to dominate as Europe advances rearmament efforts
The biennial show in Paris will focus heavily on autonomous technology, counter-drone solutions and helicopters, as countries ramp up defence budgets and focus on modernising defence capabilities.
-
![North American appetite for European AEW&C aircraft bolstered as Canada picks GlobalEye]()
North American appetite for European AEW&C aircraft bolstered as Canada picks GlobalEye
Canada’s selection of Saab’s GlobalEye to fulfil its airborne early warning requirements draws the country closer to European industry over American-made platforms, snubbing Boeing and L3Harris.
-
![Hezbollah’s fibre-optic drones expose Israel’s counter-UAV gap in southern Lebanon]()
Hezbollah’s fibre-optic drones expose Israel’s counter-UAV gap in southern Lebanon
Israel is working to close a counter-drone capability gap exposed by Hezbollah's fibre-optic systems, drawing on battlefield lessons from Ukraine to replace improvised defences with targeted solutions.
-
![NATO countries test Canadian-made, high-speed “cannibal” drone]()
NATO countries test Canadian-made, high-speed “cannibal” drone
INKAS Anuri CUAS drone has been built to engage consumer, commercial and modified first-person view enemy drones flying at speeds of up to 400 km/h.
-
![May drone digest: American loitering munition spending continues to drive market growth]()
May drone digest: American loitering munition spending continues to drive market growth
Loitering munition procurement has accelerated throughout May 2026 as militaries continue to prioritise the capability. The US has led this activity by advancing swarm-drone concepts, downselecting more drones for the Army’s LASSO programme, and awarding procurement contracts for various systems.
