In one of his last speeches to the nation, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te announced, for the first time, plans to build a “T-DOME” air defense system aimed at providing multi-layered, high-level detection and effective interception” against “enemy threats”, amid growing tensions with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and intimidation from its People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Lai also confirmed a significant increase in the country’s defense budget, which is currently at about 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product and it is planned to surpass 3% next year and reach 5% by 2030.

Taiwan’s current air defense systems are primarily based around the US-made PATRIOT and the Taiwan-developed SKY BOW (TIEN KUNG, in picture) missiles. The new T-DOME concept will not only bring technological innovation but also strategic independence. The name is a clear reference to Israel’s IRON DOME, but at the moment it is not clear what type of targets the new system is intended to engage.

Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo declared to the media that the system is based on a “sensor-to-shooter” integration model - similar to the US Joint All-Domain Command and Control - to create faster, more efficient coordination among radar sensors and missile launch systems to improve interception accuracy. According to Taipei’s military analysts, the indigenous Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) will be able to gain time, burn PLA’s munition magazine and deny any air assault operations. A robust IADS used intelligently could gain a significant amount of time and resources to roll back. The time is essential to prevent defeat, and must be sufficient to allow a coalition to intervene and avoid a “de facto” outcome resulting from a rapid victory by the CCP. The more resilient the new IADS becomes, the greater the impact on the PLA’s munitions reserves and aircraft or drone operational hours. This will compel PLA forces to reallocate their resources, potentially revealing vulnerabilities that could be exploited. If an amphibious landing takes place, PLA forces may be exposed to risks associated with the use of vertical assault methods in securing a beachhead. This situation could provide Taiwan with opportunities to launch counterattacks and contest any newly established positions.

As expected, the CCP strongly criticized Lai’s speech, accusing him to stir up trouble in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

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