Raytheon awarded contract to produce NASAMS equipment for Taiwan

Washington, Nov. 18 (CNA) The United States government has awarded Raytheon Co. a US$698.94 million contract to produce equipment related to the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) that Taiwan has ordered.

In accordance with the contract, production of "NASAMS fire units" will take place in Tewksbury, Massachusetts and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2031, according to a notice issued Monday by the U.S. Department of War.

The U.S. Department of State approved the sale of three NASAMS to Taiwan last year, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the sale on Oct. 25, 2024.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said last year that NASAMS has been proven effective at strengthening air defense capabilities, citing Ukraine's use of the systems in its ongoing war with Russia.

The missile systems are capable of active reconnaissance, fire distribution and intelligence integration, according to the ministry.

When integrated with medium- and long-range air defense missiles currently in service in Taiwan's military, they can form a multi-layered air defense network, enhancing homeland security, the ministry said.

The ministry's budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 shows it has earmarked approximately NT$35.7 billion (US$1.14 billion) for the procurement of an undisclosed number of NASAMS, related equipment and training.

The term of the spending plan, as specified by the ministry, is from 2024 to 2030.