Naval News – The second Tuo Chiang class corvette, Ta Chiang (塔江，PGG-619) was officially commissioned today with the Republic of China (ROC) Navy during a ceremony in presence of Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-wen.

Taipei Times – James Holmes writes that Taiwan should help us help you. That is my standard reply when friends from Taiwan ask how they can guarantee the US will be there for them in times of extreme peril.

South China Morning Post – Taiwan’s navy is scrapping an NT$31.6 billion (US$1.1 billion) project to build 60 mini missile assault boats originally aimed to boost the island’s asymmetric warfare ability against the mainland, a reversal that is expected to cost NT$200 million.

CIMSEC – Heavily reinforcing Taiwan through focused security subsidies while maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity would maintain conventional deterrence through denial against China.

Naval News – The Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration yesterday received it largest ship to date. The 4000-ton class “Chiayi” (CG5001) finished its 10-month trial and was delivered to the Coast Guard Administration. The second ship in the class was launched on the same day.

South China Morning Post – Taiwan has begun mass production of a long-range missile and is developing three other models, a senior official said on Thursday, in a rare admission of efforts to develop strike capacity amid growing pressure from mainland China.

Naval News – Taiwan’s indigenous submarine (IDS) project is progressing. The prototype ship is scheduled to be launched in 2024, and will be delivered to ROC Navy in 2025. The programme received a boost following the recent U.S. approval to transfer a number of key technologies including periscopes.

CNN – Taiwan has begun building a fleet of state-of-the-art submarines as it looks to further bolster its defensive capabilities, a move analysts say could complicate any potential Chinese military plans to invade the island or install a naval blockade.

AFP – The United States has issued an export permit for a digital sonar system critical to Taiwan’s indigenous submarine project. The digital sonar system and an integrated combat system are two key components Taiwan needs to build its own modern submarines.

Naval News – Taiwan’s largest shipbuilding company, CSBC Corporation held its investor’s conference on December 4, 2020. The image of a new Frigate (FFG) design was featured during the conference. CSBC revealed its plan to become the contractor of the Republic of China

South China Morning Post – Taiwan’s long-range radar system – which provides early warning of ballistic missiles and warplanes – has become more important for both the self-ruled island and the United States as tensions rise in the region, according to analysts.

RUSI – It is not the size but the composition of the latest package of US arms sales to Taiwan that is noteworthy.

Military Review – The only method of preventing China from successfully annexing Taiwan is to reject calls for a cease-fire, contain Chinese bridgeheads and airheads into as small a perimeter as possible, and then drive the invaders into the sea. Contrary to the limited Army supporting role envisioned in the Pacific, an Army corps will be indispensable and must be fully incorporated into U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Taiwan contingency plans.

Forbes – Taiwan has begun building its first new submarines in a generation. And when the boats enter service starting around 2025, they could help to tilt the balance of power across the Taiwan Strait—toward Taipei.

Japan Times – Taiwan’s president inaugurated the production of domestically made submarines Tuesday in the southern city of Kaohsiung, in a step forward for the island’s defense strategy at a time of elevated tensions with China.

Washington Times – The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on China with the unprecedented visit to Taiwan by a senior military intelligence officer.

Focus Taiwan – A group of U.S. Marine Corps instructors are visiting Taiwan as part of an annual project to help train Taiwanese troops to beef up their combat preparedness.

Naval News – The United States’ State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Taiwan of four “Weapons-Ready MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment” for an estimated cost of $600 million. The system has “anti-submarine strike capabilities” meaning it is the SeaGuardian variant of General Atomics’ MQ-9B.

Naval News – The United States’ State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Taiwan of up to 100 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.37 billion. If confirmed, this procurement would significantly boost the Island’s defense against potential amphibious landings by Chinese forces.

CIMSEC – In this new era of great power competition the ROCN is designed to maximize utility with a small budget while facing a much wealthier and larger adversary. The small surface fleet patrols and guards the island’s territorial waters, while the anti-invasion force is designed to ensure that the PLA will not be able to land troops on the beach without paying a heavy toll. The future of the ROCN is likely one of further bifurcation, with the anti-invasion fleet continuing to dwarf the surface fleet. Pursuant to its hedgehog strategy, the ROCN will concentrate on raising the cost of conflict with China in the years to come in an attempt to prevent Chinese aggression, while the surface fleet will conduct goodwill tours and conduct joint operations with allies to build relationships and raise Taiwan’s image abroad.

Naval News – While the involvement of American, European and Japanese submarine experts has been rumored several times in the past, South Korea seldom got mentioned…

National Interest – History suggests how Taiwan’s defenders can overcome not just a blockade but an amphibious onslaught.

National Interest – James Holmes writes that it is incumbent on President Tsai and her advisers to mull the opportunity costs of the looming F-16V purchase. What Taipei spends on Vipers cannot be spent on something else, barring a major increase in the fraction of GDP allocated to defense. If $8 billion would buy platforms and weapons with greater operational and strategic heft, budgeteers should redirect funding to procure them.

– USNI News – Taiwan is emphasizing asymmetric defenses from mines to anti-ship missiles, overhauling its reserve forces and professionalizing its military structure to better defend itself from “a more belligerent and aggressive” China, the island’s president said Wednesday.

– War Zone – Two Taiwanese F-16A Vipers have flown air patrol missions armed with live AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Taiwan’s Liberty Times said the missions were launched amid fears of imminent Chinese military exercises that are expected to be designed to simulate capture of the Taiwan-administered Dongsha Islands, in the northern area of the South China Sea.