A disproportionately large and plausible threat that Taiwan faces is the cross Taiwan Strait threat from China. In the fifth edition of the Quadrennial defence Review (QDR), first published in 2009, the Ministry of Defence, Taiwan elaborates ROC’s defence policy vision based on the “Four-pillar plan for peace” which address defence, economy, diplomacy, and cross-Strait relations.
The QDR brings into play a new aspect in its Quadrennial Defence Review by supplementing its defence philosophy of “resolute defence and multi-domain deterrence,” with the need to “whole-of-society resilience” being made integral to it.
The document accuses Beijing of adopting hybrid threat tactics—combining regular and irregular warfare—to undermine peace and stability across Taiwan Strait. A few aspects, that are at the core of Taiwan defence review, are discussed further.
Fundamental Concept of Taiwan’s National Defence
Taiwan’s defence commitments focus on the goals of preventing war and maintaining peace by on the strength of its national defence capabilities. Taiwan’s forces have to be prepared for muti-domain warfare and its defence forces need the capability to be withstand assaults in all domains. Taiwan also requires cooperation with other countries to address regional threat. Such alignments, however, should not should not be at the cost of Taiwanese sovereignty.
Goals of National Defence Strategy
The ROC’s defence forces aim to ”avert war by preparing for it; being capable of war to stop it”. Taiwan fully perceives it faces an asymmetric threat. More than any other priority it needs quality manpower, modernised forces that, put together, make an elite force.
Promoting Self-Reliance
Self-reliance is an issue at the top of the agenda of every country, especially after the Ukraine war, and its reflection is to be found in the Taiwanese thinking, too. Taiwan will expedite the integration of civil-military technologies and enhance domestic production. The QDR also emphasises on ensuring adequate maintenance capabilities.
Military Strategy
The QDR reflects Taiwan’s acceptance of the probability of inimical forces making a landing and progressing operations inwards into the island(s). The option favoured is a multi-layered defence deployment to defeat and disrupt enemy’s assault, mostly from the sea. The Taiwanese forces will also require to battle the enemy’s subsequent build-up by integrating the Whole-of-Society defence resilience.
Forging Winning Forces
Taiwan’s Armed Forces remain committed to refining jointness in operational
employment of forces. Keeping in view the high probability of an attack across the waters of Taiwan Strait, it needs long-range precision strike weapons to engage the enemy when he is well away from Tawan’s shores. The
focus of Taiwan’s force modernisation is to be directed on rapid adoption of proven technologies, unmanned platforms, artificial intelligence, countering cognitive warfare, and garnering IW superiority.
Among other issues that ROC armed forces would be focused upon include training, enhancing reserve forces, optimizing logistic support, strong relations with neighbours, amongst other key areas.
The QDR is both exhaustive and comprehensive in addressing the Taiwanese defence needs. As a document to guide the enhancement its military capabilities, and in the bargain develop adequate conventional deterrence, it will definitely aid in identifying short and mid-term goals.
The overwhelming difference in its geographical size as compared to that of China, makes it evident that the Chinese could gain ground initially, and thereafter progressively attain a better operationally advantageous position in the event of a conflict. However, the Taiwanese have tried to square the disadvantages by aligning with the bigger powers capable of force projection in the Taiwan Strait.
Brig SK Chatterji (Retd)
