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Taiwan stands at a crossroads, contemplating a significant arms purchase from the United States. The island nation aims to bolster its defenses against an increasingly assertive China.
This potential deal includes advanced weaponry such as Aegis destroyers and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye radar aircraft.
The move comes as Taiwan faces mounting pressure from its powerful neighbor across the strait. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force for reunification.
Taiwan, however, sees itself as an independent nation deserving of self-determination. Recent years have seen a surge in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. approved 11 arms packages worth $21 billion. The Biden administration has continued this trend, approving deals valued at $7 billion.
Taiwan’s defense budget has grown steadily, reaching NTD 606.8 billion (USD 19.1 billion) for 2024. This represents a 7.7% increase from the previous year. The proposed 2025 budget is even higher at NTD 647 billion (USD 20.2 billion).
Taiwan’s Defense Strategy
Despite these increases, some U.S. officials argue that Taiwan should spend more on defense. They suggest allocating over 3% of GDP to military expenditures. Taiwan currently spends about 2.5% of its GDP on defense.
The island nation faces several challenges in its arms procurement efforts. Delivery delays plague previously purchased U.S. weapons. The war in Ukraine has strained the U.S. defense industrial base, raising concerns about timely production.
Taiwan’s strategic focus has shifted towards “asymmetric operations” due to the growing military disparity with China. This approach emphasizes mobile and survivable weapons systems over large, conventional platforms.
The U.S. Congress has taken steps to support Taiwan‘s defense needs. It authorized Foreign Military Financing for Taiwan for the first time.
Additionally, it made Presidential Drawdown Authority available, allowing for annual transfers of up to $1 billion in defense articles. Taiwan’s potential arms purchase demonstrates its commitment to self-defense.
It also highlights the complex dynamics of U.S.-Taiwan-China relations. The outcome of this deal may hinge on various factors, including future U.S. and Taiwanese elections.