Taiwan Approves $9 Billion US Weapons Deal Amid Rising China Tensions

Taiwan’s parliament approved $9 billion in weapons deals with the US, part of a larger $11 billion agreement, to strengthen the island’s defense amid rising tensions with China. The vote follows warnings from the Defense Ministry about production delays and stalled proposals for a $40 billion defense budget, while China continues military drills around Taiwan.

Taiwan’s parliament on Friday approved four major weapons deals with the United States, officially authorizing the government to proceed with a deal valued at roughly $9 billion (approximately €7.86 billion). These arms packages are part of a larger $11 billion arms agreement announced by Washington in December, underscoring the ongoing strategic and military cooperation between Taiwan and the United States amid rising regional tensions.
The vote comes amid growing concern in Washington over Taiwan’s historically cautious approach to increasing its defense spending, as the United States remains Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier. Parliament speaker Han Kuo-yu emphasized the significance of the decision, stating, “This body upholds the principle of placing national security first and firmly defending territorial integrity,” as he read the resolution that passed unanimously. Han also urged the government to provide a detailed delivery schedule for the weapons systems so that parliament could monitor the implementation of the deals and ensure accountability in the procurement process.
The Taiwanese Defense Ministry had previously warned opposition parties that failure to sign the weapons agreements by Sunday could result in Taiwan losing its place in the production and delivery queue, potentially delaying critical military reinforcements. The ministry defended the deals, explaining that they had undergone a “rigorous project approval process” to meet the operational requirements of the Taiwanese military and ensure that the country’s defense capabilities remain robust in the face of growing threats.
Meanwhile, President Lai Ching-te had proposed a special $40 billion defense budget aimed at further strengthening Taiwan’s military, but the plan has stalled in parliament, which is controlled by opposition parties. Critics of Lai’s proposal argue that it is vague and could effectively serve as a “blank check” for government spending without clear oversight. In response, Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) introduced scaled-down alternative versions of the defense spending bill. All three proposals are currently under parliamentary review, highlighting ongoing debates over the balance between national security priorities and fiscal responsibility.
In recent years, China has intensified military drills and exercises near Taiwan, increasing regional tensions. Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert its claims, prompting Taipei and Washington to prioritize defense readiness. The Trump administration and other US policymakers have repeatedly encouraged allies, including Taiwan, to increase defense spending to strengthen regional security and deter potential aggression.
The approval of these weapons deals represents a significant step in Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its military and maintain strategic parity in the region. It also reflects the island’s commitment to reinforcing its defense capabilities amid a volatile geopolitical environment, where tensions with China remain high and security considerations are increasingly critical for both Taipei and its international partners.