Francis Tuschek, Staff Writer
The Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) ordered by Taiwan from the United States will be deployed in key locations in Taipei and New Taipei City for regional defense, according to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense released yesterday.
Specifically, the air defense system will be installed in Taipei’s Songshan District and New Taipei City’s Tamsui District, with potential delivery as early as the end of this year, the ministry noted.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has previously announced the sale of three NASAMS to Taiwan.
An image shows the NASAMS in an undated photograph sourced from Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace’s website.
These missile systems are part of the 17th arms sale to Taiwan under US President Joe Biden’s administration.
The NASAMS is designed to operate with the ground-launched versions of US-made AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, along with Europe’s IRIS-T SLS short-range missiles.
NASAMS is compatible with the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar system and utilizes Link-16 tactical data link technology.
The AMRAAM-ER variant offers extended range, capable of intercepting aircraft and supersonic cruise missiles with a range of approximately 50km.
This system will enhance Taiwan’s medium-altitude air defense capabilities alongside existing systems, including the land-based Tien Chien II (Sky Sword II) and Tien Kung (Sky Bow) missile families, as well as the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3).
The Tien Chien II is designed for ground force protection with a range of 15km, while the Tien Kung system can intercept targets at altitudes up to 45km. The PAC-3 can intercept at altitudes up to 24km.
Additionally, the ministry announced contracts for two types of radar arrays—L-band and non-L-band—as well as four logistics and sustainment contracts for various systems.
The radar contracts likely pertain to the AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-78 forward warning systems.
The NASAMS and radar contracts amount to NT$24.3 billion (US$737.17 million) and are scheduled for implementation by February 2034 and March 2030, respectively.
The air force’s 793rd Air Defense Brigade will receive spare parts for air defense missiles and support for PAC-3 systems through two contracts totaling NT$2.33 billion, with completion deadlines set for 2028 and 2029.
The 1st Tactical Fighter Wing in Tainan and the 6th Tactical Fighter Wing in Pingtung will have a NT$6.4 billion budget allocated for shipping components to the US for maintenance and support, which is set to continue through December 2030.
The ministry has also awarded a NT$79 million contract to CAE Inc, based in Montreal, for the maintenance and repair of flight simulators for Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and Lockheed P-3 Orion antisubmarine warfare aircraft, with the contract to be fulfilled by 2029.
Defense expert Mei Fu-hsing noted that NASAMS has demonstrated high effectiveness in Ukraine’s air defense strategy amidst its conflict with Russia, and Washington has long advised Taiwan to acquire this system as a vital asymmetric warfare tool.
Mei pointed out that the Norwegian air defense systems represent one of the few truly asymmetric capabilities Taiwan has acquired in recent years.
