US Approves Record 11B Taiwan Arms Sale as China Tensions Rise

US Approves Record Taiwan Arms Sale

The United States has approved an 11.15 billion arms sale to Taiwan, marking the largest weapons package ever authorized for the self governed island. The approval was announced on Thursday in Washington and comes at a time of heightened military activity around Taiwan and growing strain in US China relations.

According to US officials, the Taiwan arms sale includes a mix of artillery systems, antitank missiles, and spare parts for helicopters currently operated by Taiwan’s armed forces. The package is intended to support Taiwan’s self defense capabilities and maintain operational readiness amid increasing regional security pressures.

Rising Military Activity Near Taiwan

The approval follows a period of intensified Chinese military operations near Taiwan. Just two days before the announcement, China’s newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, transited the Taiwan Strait for the first time since entering service. The passage through the sensitive waterway drew close attention from regional observers and defense analysts.

In the past 24 hours, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that the People’s Liberation Army conducted 40 aircraft sorties near the island. More than half of those aircraft crossed the unofficial median line of the Taiwan Strait, a boundary that had long served as a tacit buffer between the two sides.

Beijing Responds to the Arms Package

China reacted strongly to the approval of the Taiwan arms sale. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the deal seriously undermines the One China Principle and warned that the United States would ultimately harm itself by continuing military cooperation with Taiwan.

Beijing has consistently opposed US arms sales to Taiwan, arguing that such transactions interfere in China’s internal affairs. Chinese officials have repeatedly called on Washington to halt all military sales and contacts with the island.

Background on US Taiwan Defense Ties

The United States has been Taiwan’s primary source of military equipment for decades under the Taiwan Relations Act. The law obliges Washington to provide Taipei with defensive arms and services necessary to maintain a sufficient self defense capability.

Recent years have seen a steady increase in the scale and frequency of US approved arms packages. These sales have focused on asymmetric systems designed to counter potential amphibious or airborne operations, including missiles, artillery, and command and control upgrades.

The latest Taiwan arms sale reflects a broader US strategy to strengthen deterrence in the Indo Pacific region amid China’s expanding military capabilities.

Strategic Context and Policy Signals

Defense analysts note that the timing and size of the package send a clear policy signal. The approval comes as military communication channels between Washington and Beijing remain fragile, raising concerns about crisis management and miscalculation.

US officials have emphasized that the Taiwan arms sale is defensive in nature and consistent with long standing policy. They maintain that the goal is to preserve stability across the Taiwan Strait rather than alter the status quo.

At the same time, China’s growing confidence and increased operational tempo around Taiwan have reshaped the regional security environment. The convergence of large scale arms transfers and heightened military activity has added new complexity to US China relations.

What Comes Next

The arms sale will now move into the implementation phase, which typically involves contract negotiations, production timelines, and delivery schedules. Some systems may take several years to reach Taiwan due to manufacturing and training requirements.

Further diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Beijing are expected, as China has often responded to similar approvals with formal protests and potential countermeasures.

As cross strait tensions continue to rise, the record Taiwan arms sale underscores the central role of defense cooperation in shaping the future security landscape of East Asia.