Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare capabilities will grow

Significance

The president is relying on Defence Minister Wellington Koo, a civilian, to reform national defence in light of the growing threat from China. US support against a Chinese blockade is less certain than for a full-scale invasion, and Koo is accelerating Taiwan’s adoption of asymmetric warfare tactics likely inspired by Ukraine.

Impacts

• Taiwan will continue to ramp up domestic production of weapons for asymmetric war, including drones and anti-missile batteries.
• Such lower-cost weapons systems will be favoured over larger purchases including aircraft and submarines.
• Taiwan will need to acquire more weapons for training including the US-made Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-air missiles.
• Japan, unofficially and mainly via the United States, will coordinate air defences on its southern-most islands with Taiwan’s air defences.