Because anti-missile systems and other defenses were insufficient to undercut “the coercive and military utility” of China’s ballistic missiles and land attack cruise missiles (LACM), the report said that Taiwan’s reported program to field the Hsiungfeng-2E indigenous LACM was “not without reason.”
In 2005, media reports alleged that at least 24 launchers had been manufactured, along with an unknown number of missiles that could cover more than 20 targets in southeast China. More recently, media reports highlighted further testing of the HF-2E, with plans to produce at least 80 HF-2E LACMs with a range of more than 500km by the end of this year.
“A second track could be to begin assessing options for a multi-role fighter able to operate from shorter runways. A variety of options are worth considering, including the eventual release of the F-35B, the transfer of an existing Vertical and/or Short Take-Off and Landing (VSTOL) design, such as the AV-8B, or the initiation of design work on a VSTOL-capable advanced indigenous defense fighter,” the report said.
Many US experts believe Taiwan should buy or develop a VSTOL fighter because China will try to destroy runways early in a conflict.
A third track, the report said, would be the “principled release” of additional F-16s to Taiwan as an interim bridge to the fielding of a VSTOL airframe.
“Release of additional F-16s would be an appropriate and measured response to the PRC’s growing reliance on ballistic missiles as an instrument of coercion,” the report said. “Should Beijing demonstrate clear intent to redeploy or draw down its five confirmed short range ballistic missile (SRBM) brigades opposite Taiwan, then formal notification to Congress could be deferred. Such an approach constitutes a form of reciprocal unilateralism. However, explicit negotiations linking PRC ballistic missile deployments with US arms sales to Taiwan would be neither appropriate nor desirable.”
RSS