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.

– South China Morning Post – Taiwan’s military has sent a marine company to reinforce the garrison on a small outpost in the South China Sea amid reports that the People’s Liberation Army was planning a simulated attack on the islets.

– Naval News – A launching ceremony was held on August 4th at Taiwanese shipbuilder Lungteh Shipbuilding for the 1st Min Jiang-class mine laying ships.

– South China Morning Post – Taiwan has a stockpile of missiles that by some estimates is the world’s biggest in terms of number per unit of area.

– War Zone – Taiwanese authorities say that they are looking to buy ground-launched Harpoon anti-ship missiles and mobile launchers to augment the island’s coastal defenses.

– South China Morning Post – Taiwan is expected to step up the development of missiles able to strike mainland China in the face of growing military threats by Beijing.

– Naval News – Taiwanese shipyard Jong Shyn Shipbuilding launched a new 600 tons patrol vessel for the Coast Guard on 27 April 2020. Based on the ROC Navy catamaran corvette, the new patrol vessel can be fitted with up to 16x anti-ship missiles.

– Naval News – A keel laying ceremony was held on April 17 at Taiwanese shipbuilder Lungteh Shipbuilding for the 3rd and 4th Min Jiang-class mine laying ships. The vessels are being built for the Republic of China (ROC) Navy.

– South China Morning Post – Taiwan has staged large-scale military drills throughout the island, including an exercise to repel an invading force, against a backdrop of rising tensions with Beijing.

– Foreign Policy – James Holmes writes that Beijing can always outspend Taipei. It’s time to think small and mean.

– USNI News – A modern submarine force to deter China’s ambitions to take over Taiwan tops the island’s unmet defense needs.

– War Zone – Taiwan says it has started construction of a trio of stealthy missile corvettes with what appear to be racks for naval mines on the stern, as well as four dedicated minelayers.

– National Interest – Even a single boat can throw an opponent’s strategy askew in modern naval warfare, as both the Argentine and British navies learned during the Falklands War of 1982. Time for Taiwan to get new submarines.