Taiwan poised to clinch Patriot support FMS
A Patriot missile launcher in Taiwan. (Photo: CNA)
A $100 million FMS deal would see Raytheon and Lockheed Martin sustain, maintain, and improve the Patriot air defence system in Taiwan.
The US State Department has approved a potential FMS deal for Taiwan to support participation in the Patriot International Engineering Services Program and Field Surveillance Program for five years, at an estimated cost of $100 million.
Congress was formally notified on 7 February about the deal for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO).
Prime contractors would be Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Activities envisaged in the FMS request include engineering services support to sustain, maintain, and improve the Patriot air defence system; and missile field surveillance support to ensure continued reliability and performance of legacy Guidance Enhanced Missile and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles.
‘The proposed sale will help to sustain the recipient’s missile density and ensure readiness for air operations,’ the State Department noted. Shephard reported in April 2021 that the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) had requested additional PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors from the US in 2019.
These interceptors are supposed to be delivered in 2025-26, but the Taiwanese MoD has not yet signed off on the request because of incorrect administrative procedures.
Taiwan currently has an arsenal of more than 400 PAC-3 missiles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
