March 13, 2026 | 10:08 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Taiwan's parliament on Friday approved four weapons deals with the US, giving the government the green light to approve the deal worth roughly $9 billion (roughly €7.86 billion).
The arms packages are part of an $11 billion arms deal announced by Washington in December.
Taiwan's reluctance to increase defense spending has raised concerns in Washington. The US remains the Chinese-claimed island's most important international backer and arms supplier.
What Kind of Weapons Were Approved?
The weapons include:
- TOW anti-tank missiles
- M109A7 self-propelled howitzers
- Lockheed Martin-made Javelin missiles
- HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems
"This body upholds the principle of placing national security first and firmly defending territorial integrity," parliament speaker Han Kuo-yu said, reading the resolution, which passed unanimously.
Han urged the government to provide a delivery schedule so parliament can review it.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry had warned opposition parties that if the weapons deals with the US were not signed by Sunday, Taiwan would risk losing its place in the production and delivery queue.
The Defense Ministry had defended the deals, saying they were prepared through a "rigorous project approval process" to meet the military's requirements.
Why Has the Package Been so Controversial?
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had proposed a special $40 billion defense budget, but the plan has stalled in parliament, which is controlled by the opposition.
Lawmakers argue Lai's proposals are unclear and amount to signing "blank checks."
Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have introduced scaled-down alternative versions of the spending bill, with all three bills currently under review.
The Trump administration has been pushing its allies to boost defense spending.
China has stepped up drills and exercises around Taiwan in recent years.
Beijing claims Taiwan in its entirety as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert its claim.
Read: China Targets Japanese Companies Over 'Remilitarization'
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Taiwan Indicts 62 Linked to Alleged Scam Center in Cambodia
9 hari lalu
The Cambodia-based Prince Group is suspected of running multi-billion dollar online fraud and money laundering operations globally.
China Targets Japanese Companies Over 'Remilitarization'
17 hari lalu
First seafood, then pandas and now Japan's heavyweights. China's commerce ministry has banned selling "dual-use" goods to a list of Japanese companies
Magong and Takayama: Asia's Most Welcoming Cities in 2026
20 hari lalu
Magong, Taiwan and Takayama, Japan have been named among the top 10 most welcoming cities in the world for 2026.
Indonesia-Taiwan Launches First Charter Flight from Taipei to Manado
25 hari lalu
The inaugural Taipei-Manado charter flight successfully brought 134 tourists from Taiwan to Manado.
Japan Seizes Chinese Fishing Vessel in a First Since 2022
28 hari lalu
Japan said it seized a Chinese fishing vessel and arrested its captain for allegedly fleeing inspection in the nation's exclusive economic zone.
China to Japan: Retract Taiwan Comments to Reopen Dialogue
30 hari lalu
China demands "concrete actions" and a retraction of comments on Taiwan from Japan's PM Sanae Takaichi before resuming bilateral diplomatic dialogue.
Taiwan Invites Indonesia to Joint Semiconductor Industry
55 hari lalu
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung states Indonesia has the potential to join the global semiconductor supply chain.
China-Japan Rift Deepens Over Dual-Use Goods Export Ban
9 Januari 2026
The two Asian giants are locked in a growing row after Japan's prime minister commented on Taiwan security.
Taiwan President Vows to Defend Country After China Drills
1 Januari 2026
Meanwhile, Beijing said the eventual annexation of Taiwan is "unstoppable."
Taiwan Stays on Alert as China Concludes Military Drills
31 Desember 2025
China fired rockets and sent dozens of aircraft and naval vessels in drills simulating a blockade of Taiwan's ports. Taipei called them a threat.
