Taiwan is expanding its Patriot missile arsenal using surplus funds and the proposed 1.25-trillion New Taiwan dollar ($40 billion) special defense budget.
The Taiwanese military procured 102 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles for approximately 20 billion New Taiwan dollars ($637 million), taken from the “military procurement surplus” of a domestic missile system acquisition, according to Liberty Times.
The high costs of the missile unit, maintenance equipment, and technical support led the military to procure a specific quantity of 102 units, the Taiwanese news outlet quoted military and government sources as saying.
The first batch was reportedly delivered in early January.
In addition, an unspecified amount will also be taken from the special defense budget to purchase more PAC-3 MSEs that will form more than one missile battalion, Taiwan News reported.
The country announced in April 2025 that it was forming its fourth Patriot air defense battalion as the country awaits the delivery of its missile orders from the US.
Meanwhile, the US Army contracted Lockheed Martin in January to restore the PAC-3 interceptors, which includes funding from a foreign military sales contract for Taiwan.
Layered Air Defense
The Taiwanese military aims to have the Patriot missiles work alongside its indigenously produced Sky Bow III and Strong Bow missiles, forming its “T-Dome” layered air and missile defense network against the threat of a potential Chinese invasion.
The Sky Bow III, locally known as the Tien Kung, intercepts ballistic and cruise missile threats from lower altitudes, while the Strong Bow surface-to-air missile targets mid-altitude ballistic threats flying at up to 70 kilometers (43.5 miles).
Its PAC-3 MSE missiles can engage threats at altitudes up to 60 kilometers (37 miles), with options for extended range.
