15 October 2020
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- Experts Say Taiwan Needs More Homegrown Military Efforts to Counter China
Experts Say Taiwan Needs More Homegrown Military Efforts to Counter China
The reported U.S. plan to go ahead with three sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan is not likely to prepare Taiwan to deal with China as well as additional homegrown arms and stronger training of soldiers would, military experts say. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has made homegrown defence a top economic priority since taking office in 2016 and spending toward that end rose from $870 million in 2018 to $2.6 billion last year. Missiles are likely to lead that effort, said Dr Collin Koh, maritime security Research Fellow at RSIS. “Right now, from what I know, their missile program is certainly the crown jewel of their current defence effort,” Koh said.
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