The island was planning to buy up to 12 Seahawk choppers but the deal has been scrapped as Taipei prioritises lower cost, more mobile weaponry to counter any threat from China.

Local media reported earlier this year that the sale could fall through after Washington concluded the helicopters were not the best bet for Taiwan's "asymmetric warfare" needs.

Taiwan has shifted to a "porcupine" strategy that seeks to equip the island to repel an attack from a far larger Chinese military.

On Thursday defence minister Chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed the chopper deal was dead.

"We feel the price is too high and it's above what we can afford," he told lawmakers.

Taiwan's defence ministry earlier this week revealed that key deliveries of other weapons from the United States had hit roadblocks.

Chiu indicated Taiwan is now looking for suitable replacements.