Taiwan to buy more Stinger missiles
Taiwan is moving to expand its stockpile of Stinger air defense missiles, with the Army planning a supplemental purchase of several thousand rounds valued at NT$11 billion ($340 million), according to local defense reports.
The move follows an earlier $2.1 billion package for 2,621 man-portable Stingers from the United States.
According to Taiwan’s Liberty Times Net, the Army confirmed that the supplemental purchase is a separate program from the earlier buy of man-portable systems. The first 500 missiles and associated launchers from the initial order are expected to arrive in Taiwan by the end of this year, split evenly between the Army and Navy. The remainder of the 2,121 missiles will be delivered in stages to the Army, Navy, and Military Police through 2026 and beyond.
Defense officials said the new NT$11 billion procurement will be executed between 2026 and 2030 under the Army’s “general ammunition acquisition and maintenance” budget. Unlike the earlier package, which was categorized under “weapons and combat support equipment,” the supplemental order is intended to expand war reserve stocks and sustain inventory levels.
Taiwan is one of the few militaries worldwide to operate the full family of Stinger systems. In addition to the man-portable version, its forces field the dual-mount tripod model, the Avenger vehicle-mounted system used at corps-level air defense units, and an air-launched variant integrated on attack helicopters.
For the Army, the second batch of the original 2,621-man-portable order is scheduled for delivery in 2031, comprising 1,985 missiles, 549 launchers, and 549 Identification Friend or Foe devices. The Navy will receive an additional 45 missiles with 15 launchers and associated equipment the same year.
The Stinger, produced by Raytheon, is a shoulder-fired, infrared-guided missile designed for short-range air defense. Widely used by U.S. and allied forces, it remains effective against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Taiwan’s decision to significantly expand its procurement reflects the island’s urgent focus on strengthening air defense against threats from China. By operating a diversified inventory of Stinger systems, the armed forces aim to build layered defenses capable of protecting critical sites and deterring enemy aircraft.
