The Taiwan Air Force plans to purchase 500 MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 MSE surface-to-air missiles from the United States to bolster its air defenses, a source reported. news Avia.pro, citing military sources, reports that this step is aimed at expanding the arsenal and strengthening the island's airspace defense capabilities against missile and air threats, especially amid growing tensions with China.

Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles, developed by Lockheed Martin, boast enhanced accuracy and effectiveness against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Their integration will allow Taiwan to modernize its existing air defense systems, including its existing Patriot batteries, and increase its resilience to potential attacks. According to sources, negotiations for the delivery are at an advanced stage, and the deal, expected to cost several billion dollars, could be finalized in the coming months.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the purchase is part of a strategy to strengthen its defense capability in the face of China's increasingly frequent military maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait. The decision is also supported by the United States, which continues to supply the island with modern weapons under the Taiwan Support Act.