Taiwan continues to strengthen its military apparatus following two parallel paths. On the one hand, the Taipei government is consolidating the axis with the United States by committing to purchase 400 missiles Harpoon terrestrial and welcoming on their territory American military advisors and other staff ahead of a training programme. On the other hand, the Taiwanese authorities are working with “autarky” solutions, building new military vehicles specifically designed for a possible Chinese offensive but also implementing solutions Sui generis.
Taiwan strengthens its navy
Taiwanese media put the spotlight on the delivery of a pair of “carrier-killing” corvettes“, that is to say Carrier Killer, at the local marina. The outgoing president Tsai Ing Wenwho presided over the delivery ceremony of the vehicles at the port of Su’ao, in the north-eastern county of Yilan, said that the indigenous corvettes of Tuo Chiang class they are a testament to Taiwan’s growing defense autonomy. The freshly baked new corvettes are the latest in an initial group of six boats that the Taiwanese company Longteh Shipbuilding had been commissioned to produce. In addition to continuous purchases of weapons from Washington, Taipei, as mentioned, is strengthening its defense production base in a context of growing Chinese military activity in neighboring waters.
“Four years ago I named the first high-performance ship (Tuo-chiang) Ta Chiang. The (Chinese) character ‘ta’ (tower) symbolizes the work of strengthening national defense capabilities nationwide“Tsai said at the event.”In recent years, we have firmly implemented the autonomy of national defensewith domestically built vessels being named, launched and delivered at an increasingly rapid pace“, he added.
Each of these ships is capable of carrying 16 anti-aircraft missiles and 12 subsonic anti-ship cruise missiles Hsiung Feng IIbeyond Hsiung Feng-III supersonic missiles. To complete its armament there is a Phalanx CIWS automated gun system it’s a 76 mm cannon. “The exterior of the hull is designed to be invisible, making it difficult for radar to detect. Main engine exhaust is designed to be metered inside the hull, so infrared rays are difficult to detect“said Lungteh Shipbuilding President Sheldon Huang.
The wall of mines
Taiwan needs strong strategies to discourage a possible enemy offensive and, if necessary, defend itself from rival attacks. One element that Taipei is considering could coincide with the sea mines. Explosives hidden underwater could be the key to derailing an amphibious assault and waging an asymmetric war against the superior Chinese navy.
“Strategically placed naval mines would allow Taiwan to exploit its natural geographic advantages to strengthen deterrence and build a formidable defense in depth“, the site wrote War on the Rocks. The mines would force Chinese ships to deal with the explosive threat before advancing.
Beijing could send minesweepers, but such an effort would take time and risk delaying – if not hindering – plans for an elusive Chinese assault.
Of course, the aforementioned mines would not solve all of Taiwan’s problems, but as part of a larger one “hedgehog” strategy they could be quite effective.
