Taiwan faces missile shortages ahead of possible Chinese invasion

Taiwan, an island situated off the southeastern coast of China, has been actively preparing for a potential military conflict as tensions between the two nations have escalated. In 2022, Taiwan's government recognized the pressing need for a substantial missile arsenal due to long delivery delays from the United States. As a result, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) was allocated USD $7.4 billion to develop indigenous missile systems. Key projects include the Chien Hsiang suicide drone, Wan Chien air-to-surface missile, and Hsiung Sheng surface-to-surface missile. The Chien Hsiang, capable of reaching targets up to 621 miles away, is intended for targeted strikes against China's radar stations and other military assets. Meanwhile, the Wan Chien missiles aim to enhance Taiwan's long-range precision strike capabilities, with an extended-range version under development. Additionally, Taiwan plans to bolster its air defenses with the Tien Kung III air defense system, designed to engage a variety of aerial threats. Despite these initiatives, experts caution that Taiwan may find it challenging to create a sufficient indigenous missile capacity, as many countries historically struggle with such development projects. Taiwan’s military strategy is significantly influenced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where the effective use of Javelin missiles against Russian forces has garnered attention. The Taiwanese military envisions deploying Javelin missile systems to deter any Chinese naval forces from threatening its shores. However, concerns arise about the limited supply availability of these advanced systems due to production constraints in the United States. As of now, American defense contractors project increased production rates in subsequent years, but concerns persist regarding whether this will be sufficient to support Taiwan amid a potential Chinese blockade. As tensions continue to rise between Taiwan and China, the island faces the monumental task of strengthening its defense capabilities while managing the logistical and manufacturing challenges of building a robust indigenous missile arsenal. The consensus among military experts indicates that Taiwan remains the underdog in a potential conflict with China, and the need for effective missile systems is paramount for its survival as a democratic nation. As discussions around defense strategies evolve, Taiwan’s military preparations will be closely monitored by global observers, particularly as they relate to international relations in East Asia.