According to “people familiar with the situation” who spoke with the UK’s Financial Times, the Taiwan authorities are looking to buy US$15 billion worth of American weapons, including stealth fighters and the Aegis naval combat system, from the U.S. during the second Trump administration.
Such a purchase would demonstrate commitment for defending the island against Communist China as Donald Trump begins his second term as U.S. President in January, FT reported citing its sources.
The Republic of China (ROC) — as Taiwan is officially known — had purchased M1A2 tanks and F-16V jet fighters during the first Trump administration, which saw deepening ties between the U.S. and Taiwan. A total of $21 billion in arms were sold to Taiwan in that period.
Communist China denies the legitimacy of the ROC and claims Taiwan, a democratically governed island about 100 miles off the mainland Chinese coast, as part of its own territory.
The communist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) frequently conducts aerial and naval drills near Taiwan, while Beijing says it will resort to military force to subdue the island if the mainland regime cannot achieve “reunification” through peaceful means.
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On the 2024 campaign trail, Trump had criticized Taiwan for not investing enough in its military defense — a criticism he has also made of other U.S. allies.
Trump was elected 47th U.S. President on Nov. 5, and will assume office on Jan. 21, 2025.
The outgoing administration of incumbent President Joe Biden continued to strengthen relations with Taiwan, including talks between high-ranking U.S. and ROC officials. Taiwan has bought $7 billion worth of weapons from the U.S. during Biden’s term.
Taiwan’s wish-list
According to a “senior Taiwanese national security official” who spoke with FT, the ROC authorities are in talks with the Trump transition team regarding the potential deal.
“There are quite a few big platforms and other items that our armed forces have had their eyes on for a long time but have not been able to acquire, so there’s a lot to choose from,” the Taiwanese official said.
Su Tzu-yun, a senior official with the Institute for National Defense and Security Research — which serves as the think tank for the ROC defense ministry — told FT that the Taiwanese would likely prioritize acquiring F-35 fighter jets, as well as ships equipped with the Aegis Combat System.
Another unnamed Taiwanese official cited by FT echoed Su’s statements.
The F-35 is America’s mainstay fifth-generation stealth fighter, and is exported to multiple U.S. allies and partners. Taiwan could purchase up to 60 of these planes, Su said.
He added that the Taiwanese would likely request decommissioned American Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Perry-class frigates for the Aegis system.
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The Aegis Combat System is a weapons and detection suite that integrates both defensive and offensive capabilities on U.S. and allied naval vessels. In the Pacific region, it is currently incorporated on Japanese, South Korean, and Australian ships.
In addition, Taiwan might procure advanced radar systems and expand its stock of Patriot anti-aircraft missiles.
“Assuming they follow through, they will go to the US national security adviser when they are named and present a very aggressive package of American hardware,” one former Trump administration official told FT.
Su estimated that the initial Taiwanese purchase could be about $15 billion.
“Taiwan’s instinct to invest more in its own defence is right,” Heino Klinck, a former senior Pentagon official in the first Trump term, told FT.
