Taiwan considers implementing Iron Dome-like defense system against China

Israels renowned Iron Dome missile defence system, admired globally, might inspire a Taiwanese counterpart. Taiwans president has unveiled a historic $40 billion boost to the defence budget over the next eight years, aiming to develop a T-Dome air defence system. The initiative will also incorporate artificial intelligence, drones, and advanced technologies to strengthen Taiwans asymmetric defence against potential Chinese aggression.

President Lai Ching-te, in an op-ed for The Washington Post, highlighted Chinas unprecedented military expansion, its increasingly provocative actions near Taiwan, and record-breaking incursions into Taiwanese airspace. He warned that Beijings readiness to change the status quo by force is becoming more evident.

The self-governing island continues to face mounting tensions with Beijing, which still regards Taiwan as part of China. Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated his aim to reunify Taiwan. Since March, when Lai described China as a foreign hostile force, the Peoples Liberation Army has been conducting large-scale exercises around the island.

Relations between China and Japan have also become strained over Taiwan. Japans new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated that her country could use its own self-defence forces if China were to attack Taiwan. Taiwans defence ministry last week described Chinese military harassment as a serious security challenge that the island must address.

The proposed T-Dome system, equipped with multi-layered defence, advanced detection, and effective interception, is designed to protect Taiwanese citizens. Taiwan must not become a weak link in regional security, Lai stated at a press conference. He emphasized that the greatest danger in any Chinese attempt to annex Taiwan is not force itself but Taiwans potential surrender.

US military analysts suggest that President Xi has directed the PLA to acquire the capability to strike Taiwan by 2027. The T-Dome would likely serve to defend the island against invasion or targeted strikes aimed at pressuring Taiwan to negotiate without provoking a US military response.

Taiwans defence spending has doubled in recent years and is planned to rise from 2.5% to 3.3% of GDP next year, reaching 5% by 2030. This increase is partly driven by previous US administrations urging Taiwan not to rely solely on American support. While Joe Biden has publicly affirmed US commitment to defend Taiwan, prior uncertainty under Donald Trump left doubts about the strength of this security relationship.

The supplementary budget still requires approval by Taiwans parliament, dominated by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) in coalition with the Taiwan Peoples Party. Defence spending has become a contentious issue, with critics accusing Lai of using fears of Chinese invasion for political gain and advocating for more diplomacy with Beijing.

KMT politician Hsu Chiao-hsin called the proposed budget astronomical and questioned whether it would turn Taiwan into a wartime state. New KMT leader Cheng Li-wun accused Lai of playing with fire. Some military analysts have criticized the plan as unrealistic against Chinas superior military power, noting that replicating Israels system would require enormous resources and likely extend beyond Lais term. Experts suggest the announcement may be aimed at signaling commitment to the US.

China responded predictably, with its foreign ministry declaring that Taiwan would never succeed in resisting reunification.

Author: Sophia Brooks