Taiwan says four additional U.S. arms packages are still awaiting formal notification to the U.S. Congress after a record $11 billion sale announced in December. The December package included items such as Lockheed Martin HIMARS rocket systems and Altius loitering munition drones. President Lai has proposed an extra $40 billion in defence spending through 2033, but the opposition has stalled the bill pending clearer details. Defence officials say they are ready to brief lawmakers confidentially and cite growing threats from China as the reason for increased spending.
Taiwan Says Four More U.S. Arms Packages Await Congressional Notification After Record $11B Sale
FILE PHOTO: A soldier speaks to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te in Hsinchu, Taiwan July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo
TAIPEI — Taiwan’s government said on Thursday that four additional U.S. arms packages remain to be formally notified to the U.S. Congress, following an $11 billion arms package announced last month — the largest ever for the island.
Details Of The Pending Sales
Vice Defence Minister Hsu Szu-chien told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting that the four packages have not yet been formally notified to Congress, the standard step in the U.S. approval process for foreign military sales. For legal reasons, Hsu declined to specify the contents of those packages.
"Don't ask me what four these are, I cannot say, but there are still four cases yet to be notified to Congress," Hsu said, adding he could not provide further details because of legal constraints.
What Was Announced In December
The December announcement covered eight items, including Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS rocket systems and Altius loitering munition drones. The State Department had not immediately responded to requests for comment outside Washington business hours.
Domestic Politics And Defence Spending
In November, President Lai Ching-te proposed an extra $40 billion in defence spending through 2033 to bolster Taiwan’s capabilities amid growing pressure from China. However, the opposition — which holds the largest number of seats in parliament — has stalled the bill at the pre-committee stage, arguing the proposal lacks sufficient detail and requesting clearer breakdowns.
Defence Minister Wellington Koo is scheduled to give lawmakers a confidential briefing on the issue, and Hsu said the ministry is ready to provide more information when legally permitted. "It is not that we are unwilling to explain — give us an opportunity to explain, a legal opportunity," Hsu said. "This is not a 'black box'."
Regional Context
China, which asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, held military exercises around the island in late December after the December arms announcement. The United States remains Taiwan’s principal international supporter and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. Hsu said the proposed increase in defence spending reflects a growing security threat to the island.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim and maintains that only the people of Taiwan can decide the island’s future.
Reporting: Ben Blanchard and Jeanny Kao. Editing: William Mallard.
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