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.