U.S. Awards Lockheed Martin $328.5M Taiwan Military Sale Contract
The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a $328.5 million foreign military sale contract to supply Taiwan with enhanced sensor pods in support of an urgent operational need for the Taiwan Air Force, the Department of Defense announced.
Under the deal, Lockheed Martin will procure and deliver 55 Legion Infrared Search and Track Enhanced Sensor pods, related processors, containers, and support equipment. Work on the contract will be carried out in Orlando, Florida, with completion expected by June 2031.
Of the total contract value, $157.3 million in foreign military sales funds were obligated at the time of award, according to the Pentagon statement.
U.S. Arms Sales Support Taiwan Defense
Washington, while maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, continues unofficial security cooperation with Taipei under longstanding U.S. law that obligates supply of defense articles to Taiwan. The island remains the largest U.S. foreign military sales partner in the Indo-Pacific.
The latest Lockheed Martin contract follows the administration’s announcement of an approximately $11.1 billion arms sales package for Taiwan in mid-December, which includes artillery systems, rocket launchers, missiles, drones, and other equipment aimed at modernizing Taiwan’s forces and sustaining credible defense capabilities.
Taipei has remained on heightened alert after recent large-scale military drills conducted by the People’s Republic of China around the island, with Taiwanese authorities monitoring naval and air activity closely.
What the Sensor Pods Do
The Legion Infrared Search and Track Enhanced Sensor pods are designed to improve airborne situational awareness by detecting heat signatures across wide fields of view. These pods augment existing radar and electronic systems on Taiwan’s fighter aircraft, supporting early warning and tracking in contested airspace.
Work on the new contract is expected to span several years, with system delivery and integration continuing through 2031.
Geopolitical Context
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan remain a flashpoint in relations with China, which views such transfers as interference in its internal affairs. Recent large-scale sales have drawn firm opposition from Beijing and led to diplomatic pushback.
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