US approves bold arms package for Taiwan
The US is willing to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, including offensive missiles, in a move that will incense Beijing
On 21 October, the US announced approval for the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of three key military items to Taiwan , signalling a strong commitment ‘to maintain a credible defensive capability’ for the democratic island nation. The arms package amounts to $1.81 billion, with additional items expected to be added in coming weeks and months.
The three systems approved by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) are AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missiles - Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) rocket artillery pieces and MS-110 reconnaissance pods.
China reacted angrily to this news. Beijing has been
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 Defence Notes
-
![UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour]()
UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
-
![Global tensions drive defence supply chain scrutiny]()
Global tensions drive defence supply chain scrutiny
Governments worldwide are scrambling to decouple defence supply chains from dependency upon strategic rivals, but countries could struggle to do it all themselves.
-
![How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces]()
How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces
Saab has outlined how it is using artificial intelligence to make training more like electronic gaming, while the UK’s Power Size Technologies is applying the same technology to better evaluate and design vehicle capability, moving AI-enabled innovation further upstream from the frontline.
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
