Name: U.S. approves $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever
Uploaded: 2025-12-18T08:50:34.812Z
Duration: 1 min 45 s
Description: The United States on Wednesday (December 17) approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest ever U.S. weapons package for the island, which is under increasing military pressure from China.

The United States on Wednesday (December 17) approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest ever U.S. weapons package for the island, which is under increasing military pressure from China.

Washington

The United States has authorized an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, marking the largest weapons package ever approved for the island. The deal includes advanced rocket systems, howitzers, anti-tank missiles, loitering drones, and equipment parts, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.

The package still requires approval from U.S. lawmakers, but enjoys broad support. The Pentagon stated the sale supports Taiwan's efforts to modernize its military and maintain a credible defense. The U.S. remains Taiwan's primary arms supplier, though such sales continue to cause friction with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.

U.S. approves $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever

The United States approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan on Wednesday, marking the largest-ever U.S. weapons package for the island. It comes as Beijing ramps up military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, which it views as its own territory, a position Taipei rejects. The deal covers eight items, including Haima's rocket systems, which have been used extensively by Ukraine against Russian forces. Additional items include howitzers, anti-tank missiles, loitering drones, and parts for other equipment. That's all according to Taiwan's defense ministry. It said the package now requires approval from U.S. lawmakers, though Taiwan has widespread cross-party support. The Pentagon said the arms sales serve U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting Taiwan's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a, quote, credible defensive capability. Pushed by the United States, Taiwan has been working to transform its armed forces. President Lai Chin-teh last month announced an extra $40 billion in defense spending, saying there was no room for compromise on national security. Washington has formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, but maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan and is the island's most important arms supplier. The U.S. is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, though such arms sales are a persistent source of friction with China.

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