A former member of the US Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), formerly known as SEAL Team 6, said in an interview with Business Insider that the elite unit’s role in a Taiwan Strait conflict would be more limited than some might expect.
The report follows an earlier one in September by the Financial Times, which said the “clandestine US Navy commando unit” has been training for missions to help Taiwan if it is invaded by China.
“You don’t use a scalpel for a job a hammer can do,” the former Navy Seal said to Business Insider on condition of anonymity.
Photo: RITCHIE B. TONGO, EPA-EFE
“DEVGRU would definitely play a role in a broader conflict with China, [but it] would likely go after strategic targets to enable the Big Navy and the wider conventional military in their tasks,” he added.
Beijing has repeatedly stated that it does not rule out using force to unify with Taiwan, causing concern in Washington, Business Insider report said, adding that the US military has been conducting war games and planning a military response to such a contingency.
That response would likely include some role for DEVGRU, just as the US military’s other operations in recent years have, but that role would be a supporting one, helping the US’ other forces by carrying out precision operations, it said.
“People don’t understand what tier one units are all about. They aren’t intended to go after every mission available, especially if another SOF [special operations] unit is more suited for it,” the former Navy SEAL said.
A large-scale invasion of Taiwan would mainly involve conventional warfare by the US Navy and Air Force, while DEVGRU would be sent to take out “strategic targets like air bases, ports, and anti-access, aerial denial (A2/AD) installations, which are designed to take out US carrier groups or repel air operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a unit like the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment would be more useful in fighting back against Chinese invasion forces on Taiwanese soil, the report said.
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