By J.C. Andrews
The island nation of Taiwan (The Republic of China on Taiwan) is in the process of strengthening its defence capabilities. This comes against the backdrop of increasing threats by China (The People’s Republic of China), which have taken the form of increased intrusions into Taiwan’s airspace by PLA Air Force fighter jets, naval intrusions, and a growing cooperation with Russia.
Taiwan accuses China of building up its capabilities to mount ‘a multi-domain offensive’ against the island. In their National Defence Report for 2021, released during the first week of November, they said that the PRC’s “anti-access, area denial campaign to prevent outside assistance forces from reaching the island is nearly complete.”
However, the people of Taiwan, under the leadership of President Tsai, are showing their determination to safeguard their sovereignty. The Taiwanese Army earlier this year mustered in two additional infantry brigades, and established a reserve force training centre. Planned increases include raising another three infantry brigades and setting up two more reserve force training centres, all by 2024. Taiwan is also in the process of reorganising its armed forces into a combined entity with regional commands, intending to mount an asymmetric defence during any war.
On Wednesday 17 November 2021, Taiwan commissioned a new fighter wing of its Air Force, the first to be fully equipped with the upgraded F-16V jets (designated Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters). The ceremony was held at Chiayi Airbase, headquarters of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. The upgrade, dubbed ‘the Phoenix Rising programme,’ includes installation of scalable beam radars, new mission computers, upgraded electronic warfare equipment, and new ‘Cueing Systems’ allowing off-boresight targeting during air combat. The upgrade is estimated to cost some four billion US dollars, due to be completed by 2023. Taiwan is also buying another 66 new F-16 (Block 70/72) aircraft from The United States to replace its obsolete Northrop Tiger II interceptors.
During the commissioning ceremony, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that the F-16 upgrade project showed the firm commitment of the Taiwan-US partnership. Given the overwhelming superiority of China, that commitment could make all the difference to the people of Taiwan and their firm resolve to maintain and protect their sovereignty.