TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After signing a contract in January worth NT$24.98 billion (US$761 million) to purchase three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, with delivery scheduled before the first quarter of 2031, Taiwan is planning to acquire nine additional systems as part of an expanded air defense strategy, per Liberty Times.
The contract, which will be overseen by the Air Force Command Headquarters, runs from Jan. 14, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2030, per CNA.
The initial three systems, included in President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) T-Dome initiative, will be deployed in the Greater Taipei area, including Tamsui and Songshan. Military officials said the second phase of NASAMS procurement will prioritize deployment at major radar stations and Air Force bases across northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan.
Penghu, a strategically important outlying county, is also being considered as a potential deployment site.
According to military sources, Taiwan is seeking an additional nine NASAMS units. These systems are expected to be stationed around key Air Force bases to strengthen low- and medium-altitude air defense capabilities.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the three NASAMS systems comprised three Sentinel radar systems (AN/MPQ-64F1), AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 radar systems, and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, including the extended-range AMRAAM-ER variant. Final details of the second NASAMS package have yet to be disclosed.
NASAMS is jointly developed by the US and Norway and can deploy short- and medium-range missiles such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM. The system is designed to counter enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, and other aerial threats.
Additionally, on Dec. 17, the US approved the sale of an US$11.1 billion military package to Taiwan that includes battlefield communication, AH-1W helicopter parts and related equipment, M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and related equipment, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles, anti-armor UAV missile systems, and Javelin missiles.
Another batch of arms sales, focused largely on air defense missiles and integrated battlefield command systems aligned with the T-Dome, had been expected soon. However, the announcement may be delayed amid diplomatic considerations surrounding an upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
