How Taiwan Can Win the Strait
Taiwan's current shipbuilding plans focus on large surface combatants, including a new 7,000-ton warship and up to 12 3,000-ton light frigates, which are vulnerable in the narrow Taiwan Strait due to advanced Chinese surveillance and attack capabilities. The article argues that these large ships are costly and easily targeted, and that Taiwan should instead build smaller, stealthier corvettes of 700 to 1,000 tons, armed with missiles and drones, to better survive and attack a Chinese invasion fleet. Historical examples, such as the Falklands War and Operation Praying Mantis, illustrate the risks of large ships in confined waters, while Ukraine's Black Sea campaign shows the effectiveness of dispersed defenses.
Why it matters: This analysis directly addresses the theme of military balance and deterrence in the Taiwan Strait, arguing that Taiwan's naval force structure must adapt to technological changes to maintain a credible defense against Chinese amphibious invasion.