Since 1979, Taiwan has purchased tens of billions of dollars in American military equipment, including fighter jets, warships, tanks, missile systems, and advanced defense technology.
However, many purchases have taken years to arrive.
Analysts estimate Taiwan currently faces a weapons backlog approaching $30 billion. Some major systems approved years ago remain under production or awaiting delivery.
For example, 108 M1 Abrams tanks ordered in 2019 required nearly seven years to arrive. Meanwhile, advanced F-16V Fighting Falcon jets approved the same year are still undergoing production and testing.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says that among 23 major U.S. weapons packages approved over the past decade, only five have been fully delivered, while most remain in production.
The latest $14 billion package reportedly includes air-defense systems such as Patriot Missile System batteries and counter-drone capabilities. Analysts note that even if approved immediately, production timelines mean some systems would not reach Taiwan until 2028 or later.
The delays have intensified debate within Taiwan over whether it should continue purchasing expensive conventional platforms or focus more heavily on a so-called “porcupine strategy” emphasizing domestically produced drones, anti-ship missiles, and other asymmetric weapons designed to deter a larger Chinese military.