A Record Package, Carefully Scoped

The United States on December 17–18, 2025 approved an $11.1 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, the largest single such package in U.S.–Taiwan relations. 

Structured as eight separate Foreign Military Sales (FMS) notifications to Congress, the deal emphasizes systems designed to complicate an invasion rather than project power. 

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the package would enhance Taiwan’s “credible defense” while not altering the regional military balance, framing the scale as deterrent rather than escalatory.  

“Asymmetric by Design”

The largest line item is approximately $4.05 billion for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), including 82 launchers and 420 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles with ranges of up to 300 km. 

Another $4.03 billion covers M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, modernizing Taiwan’s 155mm artillery. 

The package also includes about $1.1 billion for ALTIUS loitering munition drones from Anduril, focused on anti-armor roles, alongside roughly $375 million for Javelin portable anti-tank missiles and about $353 million for TOW 2B systems. 

Together, these platforms emphasize mobility, precision, and survivability over fixed defenses.

Doctrine, Budgets, and Timelines

Five of the eight approved items—HIMARS, howitzers, drones, and the TOW and Javelin missiles—align with Taiwan’s proposed $40 billion special defense budget for 2026–2033, announced by President Lai Ching-te in November 2025. 

That plan prioritizes precision strike, air defense, and unmanned systems. Additional elements of the U.S. package include about $1.01 billion for tactical mission network software, $91 million for Harpoon missile refurbishment kits, and $96 million for helicopter spare parts, underscoring the focus on command, sustainment, and readiness rather than new high-end platforms.

Second Deal Under Trump’s Return

This approval marks the second Taiwan arms sale under the second Trump administration, following a $330 million aircraft parts sale in November 2025. 

Taiwan’s defense ministry welcomed the latest package, thanking Washington for support under the Taiwan Relations Act and describing the systems as strengthening self-defense and asymmetric capabilities. 

As of December 18, no immediate official response from China was cited, though Beijing has historically condemned U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which it views as its territory.

Operational Lessons, Strategic Signal

Analysts note that systems such as HIMARS, proven in Ukraine for long-range precision strikes, could disrupt amphibious operations and logistics hubs. 

With total U.S. arms sales to Taiwan reaching about $49 billion since 2010, the December 2025 package represents a substantial share of recent transfers, signaling continuity in U.S. policy while sharpening Taiwan’s emphasis on denial rather than parity.