Anticipating a Chinese invasion by 2027 to reclaim Taiwan, Taipei has been spending billions of dollars to build its defenses, acquiring fighters, warships, missiles, drones, howitzers, and multi-launch rocket systems.
Observing how Ukraine successfully employed the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in hitting targets deep into Russian territory, Taipei has acquired 29 similar long-range M142 rocket systems to strengthen its defenses.
The United States delivered 11 HIMARS this year and the additional 18 batteries are expected to be delivered in 2026.
The second batch of HIMARS includes 84 MGM-140 army tactical missiles and 864 rockets worth $1 billion.
A standard M142 HIMARS only has a range of 42 kilometers but the MGM-140 missile can hit targets accurately 300 kilometers away.
The United States has long been Taiwan’s biggest arms supplier despite its One-China policy, angering China, which claims Taiwan as a renegade province.
Washington has sold Taipei billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16s to counter Beijing’s upgraded J-15 “Flying Shark” fighters.
Taiwan has been hardening its defenses, using advanced technology to offset China’s advantages.
Taiwan’s military, for instance, is seven times smaller than China. Its $16-billion defense spending dwarfs China’s $300-billion military outlay.
China’s aircraft and vessels can overwhelm Taiwan, thus it continues to rely on the United States and other allies.
The US Marines have started building temporary bases on Japan’s southwestern island to deploy several HIMARS.
The US Army and Marines were also rushing the completion of EDCA sites in northern Luzon to deploy additional HIMARS and a medium-ranger capability (MRC) or Typhon missile launcher in the Philippines.
The Biden administration allocated for next year some $128 million for EDCA-related construction, like hangars, oil and water depots, logistics warehouses, piers, and runways.
The United States Air Force has started moving F-16s to six airfields in the Philippines while adding more F-35 aircraft in Japan.
The strategic bombers B-52s were deployed to Guam along with the nuclear-powered attack submarines.
The US, Japan, and Taiwan are on war footing, preparing for a bruising conflict with China. The US, Japan, and South Korea are also watching how Russia and North Korea would react in case of a full-blown conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
Other countries, like Australia, New Zealand, and European powers France, Germany, and the United Kingdom would be drawn in.
The US and its allies cannot abandon Taiwan because it has become the world’s biggest source of computer chips or semiconductor products.
Taiwan has a 60% global market share of semiconductors.
However, Donald Trump’s election victory has cast a dark cloud in the region. His support for Taiwan could vacillate.
In Eastern Europe, Trump has sent notice to Volodymyr Zelenskyy to prepare measures to end the war with Russia.
There will be a lot of uncertainty in the region after Trump takes over the White House next month. Indo-Pacific states could be on their own.
Thus, Manila sent a wrong signal to the international community when Congress slashed the military’s modernization budget by P5 billion.
The Philippines has been the weakest link in the region’s security architecture with its limited air defense and maritime security capability.
How could it support and help Taiwan defend its territory? How could it support the United States and other allies?
The Philippines must spend at least 2% of its GDP to upgrade its military capability and achieve a minimum credible defense capability.
As the United States, Japan, and Taiwan prepare for a conflict with China in 2027, the Philippines must discard its parochial and self-serving interests.
After all, thousands of Filipino workers could be displaced in Taiwan and other parts of Asia. It could affect trade and investments and the health of the country’s economy as it becomes a magnet for attack.
The Philippines must prepare now before it is caught with its pants down. #PressOnePH
Controversy over midrange capability missiles
The Philippines must have an integrated air defense system to cover 100% of the country’s Philippines Air Defense Identification Zone (PADIZ) as well as have an effective maritime domain awareness.
Unprepared Philippines: ‘Don’t be caught with the pants down’
The Philippines must prepare now before it is caught with its pants down.
Preparing for war
Together with the Army and the Air Force, the US Navy has been upgrading its capability to increase deterrence and discourage China from its plan to invade Taiwan by 2027.
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