Taiwan's request to purchase MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the US in 2015 was prompted by China's massive submarine fleet and the need for self-defense. The US, traditionally a major arms supplier to Taiwan, unusually rejected this routine request in 2022 due to concerns about Taiwan's flawed defense strategy against a potential Chinese invasion.

The conflict between China and Taiwan dates back to the Chinese Civil War in 1927. After the Communist victory in 1949, the Nationalists fled to Taiwan, establishing the Republic of China, which claims legitimacy over both Taiwan and the mainland. The US initially supported the Nationalists, signing a mutual defense pact in 1954. However, in 1979, the US recognized the People's Republic of China, ending its direct defense promise to Taiwan and instead passing the Taiwan Relations Act, which committed the US to selling Taiwan weapons for self-defense.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Taiwan extensively purchased advanced US weapons like fighter jets, tanks, attack helicopters, missiles, and ships. This strategy was effective against China's then-limited military capabilities, allowing Taiwan to counter a naval invasion and potentially hold out long enough for US intervention.

China's rapid economic growth from the 1990s led to a significant military buildup. By 2013, China's military superiority over Taiwan in terms of helicopters, battleships, fighter jets, tanks, submarines, and ballistic missiles was overwhelming. This new strength allowed China to potentially overcome Taiwan's advantages, making a successful invasion more likely and challenging any US intervention.

In 2008, American military expert William Murray proposed the 'porcupine strategy.' This strategy advocates for Taiwan to acquire a large quantity of small, mobile, and inexpensive weapons—such as Stinger missiles, Harpoon anti-ship weapons, drones, and mines—instead of a few expensive, advanced systems. The goal is to make Taiwan too difficult to invade, delaying an attack and increasing the cost for China, thereby buying time for potential US intervention.

The US began urging Taiwan to adopt the porcupine strategy in the 2010s, with Taiwan partially complying by buying smaller, more agile weapons. However, Taiwan continued to invest in advanced conventional weapons. The effectiveness of porcupine-style weapons was highlighted by Ukraine's defense against Russia. Despite this, Taiwan still seeks advanced weapons to counter China's escalating non-invasion aggressive behaviors and for a stronger defense if the US doesn't intervene, a commitment the US has yet to make.