Taiwan revives MH-60R helicopter deal amid defense spending boost

Taiwan is considering reviving its acquisition of MH-60R anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters as part of its FY 2026 defense budget, signaling a renewed push for military modernization.

The move aligns with President Lai Ching-te’s commitment to raising defense spending to 3% of GDP, a pledge that comes amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly urged Taiwan to boost its military budget while also threatening tariffs on Taiwanese semiconductors.

Reports have circulated for months that Taiwan is looking to expand its arms purchases from the U.S. to reinforce security ties and address trade imbalances. Taiwanese defense experts have urged the government to take advantage of Lai’s increased defense budget, advocating for acquisitions such as Aegis destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, and other high-value military assets.

In January, Taiwan’s navy reviewed its procurement priorities and re-submitted the postponed MH-60R helicopter program to the defense ministry. The program was previously shelved due to shifts in Taiwan’s defense strategy, which prioritized asymmetric warfare systems like land-based Harpoon anti-ship missiles. In 2022, the Biden administration rejected Taiwan’s request to buy the helicopters, citing their misalignment with asymmetric warfare principles. Later that year, Taiwan’s then-defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed the purchase was canceled due to high costs.

Taiwan’s defense ministry has declined to comment on recent reports about a potential U.S. arms deal. While the ministry is expected to draft a special budget for these purchases, securing the necessary funding remains uncertain. Opposition lawmakers, who favor closer ties with China, have sought to cut or freeze defense allocations, including the FY 2025 budget, in an attempt to weaken Lai’s administration.

Currently, Taiwan’s navy operates two types of ASW helicopters: the S-70C(M) and the aging 500MD/ASW. The country first procured S-70C helicopters from the U.S. in the 1980s, initially receiving modified land-based variants before securing ship-based SH-60 variants after years of negotiations. The first batch of S-70C(M)1 helicopters arrived in Taiwan in 1991, followed by a second batch of S-70C(M)2s, which became combat-ready in 2001. Meanwhile, Taiwan purchased the 500MD/ASW from the U.S. in 1977, with 12 units entering service in 1979. By 2020, only nine remained operational, and the fleet is set to be phased out once the MH-60Rs are acquired.

As Taiwan moves to strengthen its military capabilities, the potential revival of the MH-60R deal underscores its efforts to balance U.S. relations, domestic political challenges, and growing regional security concerns.