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NBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Taiwan looks to U.S. for military support as it builds up defenses against China
PINGTUNG COUNTY, Taiwan — Below a windy lookout, three U.S.-made mobile rocket launchers lurched forward at a military base in Taiwan, preparing for their first live-fire test on the Beijing-claimed island. '3, 2, 1... launch,' a Taiwan military officer counted down over a loudspeaker. A total of 33 rockets were then fired toward the Pacific Ocean, in the opposite direction from the Chinese mainland. Making a thunderous sound, each erupted in bursts of flame and trailed white smoke that arced high into the air. The historic test of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, took place this month at an undisclosed location in Pingtung County, on the southern tip of Taiwan, as Taipei scrambles to overhaul its military and get President Donald Trump 's backing amid growing military threats from China. The rocket system could be crucial if Taiwan ever came under attack from Beijing, which has not ruled out the use of force in annexing the self-governing democracy. Manufactured by U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, HIMARS mobile launchers are equipped with guided rockets that have a range of about 185 miles — far enough to reach coastal targets in the southern Chinese province of Fujian on the other side of the Taiwan Strait. It is the same rocket system that Ukrainian forces have been using to target Russian positions — though unlike Ukraine, Taiwan paid the United States more than $1 billion for the weaponry. The island has received 11 of the 29 HIMARS launchers it has purchased, with the rest expected to arrive ahead of schedule next year. Though the U.S. has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, it is the island's biggest weapons supplier. Billions of dollars in arms deals with the U.S. have helped Taiwan build up asymmetric tools such as drones, missiles and upgraded fighter jets. As China ramps up military and other pressure, Taiwan has also extended compulsory military service to one year from four months, doubled mandatory annual refresher training for reservists to two weeks, and pledged to increase its defense budget to more than 3% of GDP. While the U.S. remains a 'very important' strategic partner, Taipei 'fully recognizes' the need to strengthen its own defense capabilities, said Sun Li-fang, a spokesperson for Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense. 'Ensuring Taiwan's security is our responsibility and our top priority,' he said. 'We take this matter very seriously.' But it is difficult for Taiwan to build a modern fighting force, Sun said, in the face of 'inherently disproportionate' threats from China, whose 2.8-million-strong military is more than 18 times larger than Taiwan's number of active-duty personnel. In the year since Taiwan President Lai Ching-te took office, China has held several rounds of large-scale military exercises that Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, warned this month are not drills but 'rehearsals.' The Chinese military also sends warplanes and ships toward Taiwan on near-daily sorties and in recent days held an amphibious landing drill in the Taiwan Strait. To deal with such 'tangible and real' threats, it is 'crucial' that the U.S. and Taiwan continue their military cooperation, Sun said. In addition to HIMARS, the U.S. and Taiwan have advanced their cooperation with an intelligence sharing deal that Sun called a 'game-changer.' 'We typically don't go into detail because intelligence and information sharing are sensitive,' Sun said in his government's first public comments on the subject. 'That said, this kind of intelligence exchange is extremely helpful for us in understanding threats from the enemy and making appropriate defensive deployments.' In congressional testimony this month, a retired U.S. Navy admiral also publicly acknowledged for the first time that there are about 500 U.S. military personnel stationed in Taiwan, more than 10 times the number previously disclosed. Even as it works with the U.S., Taiwan is unsure about the extent of the security commitment from Washington, which has long maintained a policy of 'strategic ambiguity' when it comes to whether U.S. forces would defend the island against a Chinese attack. Further muddling the picture are comments Trump has made about Taiwan, the global leader in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, 'stealing' chip business from the U.S. and not paying enough for its own defense. Officials in Taipei have also been rattled by the collapse of U.S. support for Ukraine as well as the threat of steep tariffs on Taiwan's exports, which Trump has set at 32% in addition to a 10% baseline. 'You have different voices emerging from the United States, so that creates more uncertainties for Taiwanese,' said Andrew Yang, Taiwan's former minister of national defense. 'Which voices or narratives should we listen to?' Reservist Jason Chu, 30, said that among those around him, there was a 'growing' sense of responsibility to defend Taiwan. 'The biggest difference lies in our mindset,' said Chu, an engineer. He said that while many people in Taiwan most likely think of their training as a duty at first, often they later begin to think of it as protecting their country. People in Taiwan have watched with concern as war drags on Ukraine, another democracy targeted by a larger, autocratic neighbor — and some have even gone to join the fight against Russia. Tony Lu went to Ukraine in 2022 first as a volunteer, then as a fighter. He said he thinks people in Taiwan need to be ready. 'No one wants war — I don't want it either,' he said. 'But we don't have a choice.'
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First Post
a day ago
- Business
- First Post
Trump eyes record weapons sale to Taiwan as China ramps up pressure on the island
If US arms sales to Taiwan do accelerate, it could ease worries about the extent of Trump's commitment to the island. It would also add new friction to the tense US-China relationship read more The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung, Taiwan. File image/ Reuters The United States plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taipei to a level exceeding President Donald Trump's first term as part of an effort to deter China as it intensifies military pressure on the democratic island, according to two US officials. If US arms sales to Taiwan do accelerate, it could ease worries about the extent of Trump's commitment to the island. It would also add new friction to the tense US-China relationship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they expect US approvals for weapons sales to Taipei over the next four years to surpass those in Trump's first term, with one of the officials saying arms sales notifications to Taiwan could 'easily exceed' that earlier period. They also said the United States is pressing members of Taiwan's opposition parties not to oppose the government's efforts to increase defence spending to 3% of the island's budget. The first Trump administration approved sales of approximately $18.3 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan, compared with around $8.4 billion during Joe Biden's term, according to Reuters calculations. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei. Even so, many in Taiwan, which China claims as its own, worry that Trump may not be as committed to the island as past US presidents. On the election campaign trail, Trump suggested Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business, causing alarm in Taipei. China has vowed to 'reunify' with the separately governed island, by force if necessary. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US officials said administration officials and Trump himself were committed to 'enhancing hard deterrence' for Taiwan. 'That's where the president is. That's where all of us are,' one US official said, adding that they were working closely with Taiwan on an arms procurement package to be rolled out when Taiwan secured domestic funding. Taiwan's Presidential Office told Reuters the government is determined to strengthen its self-defence capabilities and pointed to its proposals to increase defence spending. 'Taiwan aims to enhance military deterrence while continuing to deepen its security cooperation with the United States,' Presidential Office spokesperson Wen Lii said. Taiwan's defence ministry declined to comment on any new arms sales, but reiterated previous remarks by the island's defence minister, Wellington Koo, about the importance of 'solidarity and cooperation of democratic allies.' 'Don't get in the way' Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) aim to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP this year through a special defence budget. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But the island's parliament, controlled by opposition parties the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), passed budget cuts earlier this year that threatened to hit defence spending. That triggered concerns in Washington, where officials and lawmakers have regularly said the US cannot show more urgency over Taiwan's defence than the island itself. 'We're messaging pretty hard (in Taipei) to the opposition. Don't get in the way of this. This isn't a Taiwanese partisan question. This is a Taiwanese survival question,' one of the US officials told Reuters. Three people in Taiwan with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed that the US government and US congressional visitors have been pressing the opposition parties in Taiwan not to block defence spending, especially the coming special defence budget, which is expected to be proposed to parliament later this year. 'As long as they knew there were people from the opposition in the room, they directly asked them not to cut the defence budget,' one of the people said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Alexander Huang, director of the KMT's international department, told Reuters it was 'beyond question' that the party firmly supports increasing the defence budget and its 'doors are open' to the US government and the ruling DPP for consultations. 'Supporting an increased budget does not mean serving as a rubber stamp, nor does it preclude making adjustments or engaging in negotiations regarding the special budget proposals put forth by the DPP administration,' he added. The much smaller TPP said it has 'always had smooth communication with the US side and has continued to engage in in-depth dialogue on issues such as national defence and regional security.' Reuters reported in February that Taiwan was exploring a multi-billion dollar arms purchase from the US, hoping to win support from the new Trump administration. New weapons packages are expected to focus on missiles, munitions and drones, cost-effective means to help improve Taiwan's chances of rebuffing any military action by China's much larger forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For years, China has been steadily ramping up its military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over the island that is home to critical chip manufacturing vital to the global economy. Separately, one of the US officials said the Trump administration would not object to a transit this year through US territory by Lai, whom Beijing labels a 'separatist.' Past visits to the United States by Taiwanese officials have triggered angry objections by China, which sees such trips as inappropriate given that the United States has diplomatic relations with Beijing, not Taipei. Taiwan's presidential office spokesperson Lii said there are currently 'no plans for a presidential transit through the United States at the moment.'
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Trump aims to exceed first term's weapons sales to Taiwan, officials say
FILE PHOTO: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visits Republic of China Military Academy, an officer training academy, for its 100th anniversary celebrations in Kaohsiung, Taiwan June 16, 2024. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo FILE PHOTO: The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung, Taiwan May 12, 2025. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo WASHINGTON/TAIPEI - The United States plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taipei to a level exceeding President Donald Trump's first term as part of an effort to deter China as it intensifies military pressure on the democratic island, according to two U.S. officials. If U.S. arms sales to Taiwan do accelerate, it could ease worries about the extent of Trump's commitment to the island. It would also add new friction to the tense U.S.-China relationship. The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they expect U.S. approvals for weapons sales to Taipei over the next four years to surpass those in Trump's first term, with one of the officials saying arms sales notifications to Taiwan could "easily exceed" that earlier period. They also said the United States is pressing members of Taiwan's opposition parties not to oppose the government's efforts to increase defense spending to 3% of the island's budget. The first Trump administration approved sales of approximately $18.3 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan, compared with around $8.4 billion during Joe Biden's term, according to Reuters calculations. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei. Even so, many in Taiwan, which China claims as its own, worry that Trump may not be as committed to the island as past U.S. presidents. On the election campaign trail, Trump suggested Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business, causing alarm in Taipei. China has vowed to "reunify" with the separately governed island, by force if necessary. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future. The U.S. officials said administration officials and Trump himself were committed to "enhancing hard deterrence" for Taiwan. "That's where the president is. That's where all of us are," one U.S. official said, adding that they were working closely with Taiwan on an arms procurement package to be rolled out when Taiwan secured domestic funding. Taiwan's Presidential Office told Reuters the government is determined to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and pointed to its proposals to increase defense spending. "Taiwan aims to enhance military deterrence while continuing to deepen its security cooperation with the United States," Presidential Office spokesperson Wen Lii said. Taiwan's defense ministry declined to comment on any new arms sales, but reiterated previous remarks by the island's defense minister, Wellington Koo, about the importance of "solidarity and cooperation of democratic allies." 'DON'T GET IN THE WAY' Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) aim to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP this year through a special defense budget. But the island's parliament, controlled by opposition parties the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), passed budget cuts earlier this year that threatened to hit defense spending. That triggered concerns in Washington, where officials and lawmakers have regularly said the U.S. cannot show more urgency over Taiwan's defense than the island itself. "We're messaging pretty hard (in Taipei) to the opposition. Don't get in the way of this. This isn't a Taiwanese partisan question. This is a Taiwanese survival question," one of the U.S. officials told Reuters. Three people in Taiwan with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed that the U.S. government and U.S. congressional visitors have been pressing the opposition parties in Taiwan not to block defense spending, especially the coming special defense budget, which is expected to be proposed to parliament later this year. "As long as they knew there were people from the opposition in the room, they directly asked them not to cut the defense budget," one of the people said. Alexander Huang, director of the KMT's international department, told Reuters it was "beyond question" that the party firmly supports increasing the defense budget and its "doors are open" to the U.S. government and the ruling DPP for consultations. "Supporting an increased budget does not mean serving as a rubber stamp, nor does it preclude making adjustments or engaging in negotiations regarding the special budget proposals put forth by the DPP administration," he added. The much smaller TPP said it has "always had smooth communication with the U.S. side and has continued to engage in in-depth dialogue on issues such as national defense and regional security." Reuters reported in February that Taiwan was exploring a multi-billion dollar arms purchase from the U.S., hoping to win support from the new Trump administration. New weapons packages are expected to focus on missiles, munitions and drones, cost-effective means to help improve Taiwan's chances of rebuffing any military action by China's much larger forces. For years, China has been steadily ramping up its military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over the island that is home to critical chip manufacturing vital to the global economy. Separately, one of the U.S. officials said the Trump administration would not object to a transit this year through U.S. territory by Lai, whom Beijing labels a "separatist." Past visits to the United States by Taiwanese officials have triggered angry objections by China, which sees such trips as inappropriate given that the United States has diplomatic relations with Beijing, not Taipei. Taiwan's presidential office spokesperson Lii said there are currently "no plans for a presidential transit through the United States at the moment." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Canadian Army looks to spend more than $6 billion on new howitzers and rockets
The Canadian Army is looking at spending more than $6 billion for new self-propelled howitzers and ground-based long-range rockets, according to briefings provided to defence industry representatives. Article content Article content The Indirect Fires Modernization program, expected to cost more than $5 billion, will see the acquisition of self-propelled 155-mm artillery, ammunition as well as new mortar systems, according to a Canadian Army briefing for industry presented April 8 in Ottawa. Article content Article content Information about such equipment was requested from industry, which had until April 2 to provide details about their systems, according to a request-for-information document issued by the Canadian government. Article content Article content The program would include fire control software and investments in new infrastructure at military bases, including Garrison Petawawa, the request noted. Article content The second program is for a new land-based long-range missile system. The initial cost estimate for that is more than $1 billion but the price tag could be higher depending on how many rockets are ordered. Article content The Ottawa Citizen reported in March that Canada's military leadership was pushing for a sole source deal for the U.S.-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS. Article content The plan that had been proposed by the Canadian Forces senior leadership would see the purchase of a number of HIMARS built by Lockheed Martin. Article content Another problem is that orders of U.S. HIMARS are significantly backlogged and it is unclear whether Canada could get any quick delivery of such systems. Article content Article content S outh Korean defence giant Hanwha is currently pitching Canada on both the high mobility artillery rocket systems and the self-propelled artillery program. Article content The company has hot production lines which are currently building the equipment for a number of nations. It has delivered its K9 self-propelled howitzer to 10 countries so far, including six NATO members.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadian Army looks to spend more than $6 billion on new howitzers and rockets
The Canadian Army is looking at spending more than $6 billion for new self-propelled howitzers and ground-based long-range rockets, according to briefings provided to defence industry representatives. The Indirect Fires Modernization program, expected to cost more than $5 billion, will see the acquisition of self-propelled 155-mm artillery, ammunition as well as new mortar systems, according to a Canadian Army briefing for industry presented April 8 in Ottawa. Information about such equipment was requested from industry, which had until April 2 to provide details about their systems, according to a request-for-information document issued by the Canadian government. The program would include fire control software and investments in new infrastructure at military bases, including Garrison Petawawa, the request noted. A project funding proposal is currently being prepared for the Liberal government, according to the April 8 army briefing. The second program is for a new land-based long-range missile system. The initial cost estimate for that is more than $1 billion but the price tag could be higher depending on how many rockets are ordered. The Ottawa Citizen reported in March that Canada's military leadership was pushing for a sole source deal for the U.S.-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS. The plan that had been proposed by the Canadian Forces senior leadership would see the purchase of a number of HIMARS built by Lockheed Martin. But that acquisition has been questioned by some in the defence industry, especially considering the economic and sovereignty threats made against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump. Another problem is that orders of U.S. HIMARS are significantly backlogged and it is unclear whether Canada could get any quick delivery of such systems. A total of 26 launchers are needed, according to the April 8 Canadian Army briefing to industry. South Korean defence giant Hanwha is currently pitching Canada on both the high mobility artillery rocket systems and the self-propelled artillery program. The company has hot production lines which are currently building the equipment for a number of nations. It has delivered its K9 self-propelled howitzer to 10 countries so far, including six NATO members. In addition, Polish soldiers are currently undergoing training on the Chunmoo high mobility rocket systems which were purchased to counter Russian aggression. The focus for Hanwha is not only on partnering with Canadian firms but delivering high technology quickly, Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defence, said in an interview Tuesday. Technology transfer allows Canada to make sure it has sovereign control over its military equipment, a particular area of concern for a number of nations considering some of the issues that have emerged with U.S. equipment. 'We can delivery very quickly on time to make a difference for the military and the politicians for sovereign capabilities,' Coulter said. The K9 self-propelled howitzers and the accompanying K10 ammunition resupply vehicles can be delivered in 12 months once a contract is signed. Chunmoo systems would arrive within 24 months. In addition, the systems are interoperable with U.S. equipment. Coulter noted the U.S. military has expressed an interest in seeing the K9 tested for its forces. Coulter said Hanwha already has 10 agreements in place to work with Canadian companies and more such arrangements are expected to be announced at the CANSEC military trade show which takes place in Ottawa on May 28 and 29. The Liberal government has also stated it will purchase up to 12 new submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. Hanwha is offering its KSS-III submarine for that program. If the contract was signed in 2026 the first submarine could be delivered by 2032, according to company officials. The South Korean submarines, three of which are already built, can operate underwater for more than three weeks, without having to surface. In addition, the boats have a range of more than 7,000 nautical miles. Both capabilities would make them valuable for Arctic operations, company officials say. Maintenance facilities would be established in Canada, and unlike with U.S. weapon systems, the South Koreans would provide Canada with total access to the onboard technology. South Korea developed its own robust defence industry after being hit by rising prices and unreasonable demands linked to U.S.-produced equipment. David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: Canadian Forces pushing for sole source deal for U.S. weapons as Trump continues attacks on Canada South Korea wants to sell submarines to Canada as relations sour with U.S.
