Taiwan Conducts Drills with Anti-Amphibious Landing Missiles to Deter Chinese Aggression
Taiwan has ramped up its defense efforts with a series of drills involving anti-amphibious landing missiles, aiming to bolster its deterrent capabilities against potential aggression from China. This military exercise, held on Monday, is part of Taiwan’s broader strategy to remain agile and formidable in the face of Beijing’s claims over the democratically ruled island.
During the two-day exercise, troops fired TOW 2A missiles, a type of tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided weapon, from M1167 Humvees at floating targets off a beach in Pingtung County. This southern region of Taiwan faces both the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific Ocean, making it a strategic location for such drills.
The TOW 2A missiles are renowned for their effectiveness and popularity as anti-tank weapons globally. They form a crucial part of Taiwan’s defense strategy against a potential Chinese invasion, which is a growing concern given China’s significant military advancements. China has been increasing its military activities, leveraging its substantial numerical superiority in warplanes, ships, and missiles.
In addition to the TOW 2A, Taiwan has acquired 1,700 units of the more advanced TOW 2B system from the United States, with the final deliveries expected by the end of the year. These exercises not only test the TOW 2B’s capabilities but also evaluate its integration with the older TOW 2A system and its effectiveness in night-time operations, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry.
Proponents of these anti-amphibious missiles argue that their mobility offers a significant advantage in an asymmetric conflict against China’s much larger military force. Taiwan’s terrain—characterized by steep mountains, mud flats, and densely populated urban areas—poses challenges to a conventional military approach, making such mobile missile systems a strategic asset.
China’s military provocations near Taiwan have become a near-daily occurrence, involving frequent incursions by warplanes and warships aimed at intimidating Taiwan’s citizens and testing its defenses. In response, Taiwan has extended its national military service to one year, invested in domestic submarine production, and continued to import advanced military technology from the United States.
Public sentiment in Taiwan strongly favors maintaining the island’s current de facto independent status, which was established following the Chinese Civil War in 1949. As tensions with China continue to rise, Taiwan’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities remains a key component of its strategy to safeguard its sovereignty.
