By Tamir Eshel
Challenged by the ever growing scale and capabilities of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Taiwan must develop its air defense capabilities fielding more capable fighter planes in greater numbers, a requirement aired in a recently published released quadrennial defense review. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) claims that China is deploying many of its newest weapons its Nanjing and Guangzhou military regions, both of which are adjacent to Taiwan, in recent years. Moreover, Many of the training programs and live-fire exercises played by the PLA have focused on seeking a speedy end to island conflicts in an apparent effort to prevent foreign intervention in the event of such a standoff.
According to the MND’s quadrennial defense review, the military is also planning to develop unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying out combat and reconnaissance missions to beef up the country’s air defense muscle.
Given the reluctance to deliver advanced fighter aircraft as expressed by Taiwan’s main ally – the US – Taipei is determined to develop its own advanced air power, based on new generation, stealth-capable fighters capable to meet the modern Chinese fighter planes in battle. Other capabilities recommended for such fighters include long-range flight and aerial refueling abilities, as well as the capability to launch ground and anti-ship weapons.
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