Taiwan's military strategy naïve and dangerous

• Source: Global Times
• [21:11 February 04 2010]
• Comments

GT: There have been many criticisms in Taiwan against the short-range missiles used by the Chinese mainland. How should we see that?

Du: This issues are inflated by the advocates of Taiwanese independence. They want to use this topic to control the island's politics. The People's Liberation Army should do everything they need to do, as allowed by the Anti-Secession law. These missiles are working for the integrity of China's territory.

GT: Taiwan also wants to acquire more F16 fighters. What is the military use of these?

Du: There are about 150 F16A/Bs, 58 Mirage 2000s, and about 100 Ching- Kuo Indigenous Defense Fighters on the island. The total of third-generation fighters is about 300, which is about the same number you'd expect a mid-size country to have, and much more than they need for air combat. Adding early warning aircraft, it also exceeds their need for air defense.

But, if the fighting started across the Taiwan Straits, these planes will never get a chance to take off. Considering the narrowness of Taiwan Straits and the firepower from the Chinese mainland, their airports are so vulnerable. All airports will be destroyed in the first attack. Even some of then can take off, they can't land.

GT: What is Taiwan's military strategy?

Du: After Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou was elected, he has continued former leader Chen Shui-bian's policy of "effective deterrence," of developing the military to be able to deliver more damage than the Chinese mainland expects. Basically, they hope to stop the military attack to Taiwan by "scaring" the mainland.

Under this plan, they are emphasizing the abilities of "Preemption and countermeasure." "Preemption" refers to operations when they discover the mainland is making military preparations, and "countermeasures" refer to actions after the battles begin.

This is naive thinking. If the unfortunate situation described in the Anti-Secession Law develops, military actions against independence will be not be stopped by any damage done by Taiwan.