Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Ultra · Nov 16, 2016

Skywatcher said:
Richard Fisher at Strategy Center suggested the Taiwan buy a bunch of MALD "smart cruise missiles/drones" with 50kg (or was it lb?) warheads for counterinvasion purposes.

Though that begs the question of why can't the PLA also send Sino MALDs across the Straits.

Bunch of nonsense.
As I have always said, what Taiwan need are nuclear weapons.
It doesn't matter how many billions of army PLA can muster up, nor numerical or technological superiority PLA has over distance. It all doesn't matter one bit when the invading army get annhilated by nuclear mines or SRBM. Taiwan can booby-trap the whole island with nukes and detonate each "base" if it is lost. It will make PLA's lost completely unacceptable and the value of invading Taiwan a big "nil".

It will simply make Taiwan un-invadable. Because nuke is the great equalizer. And there is currently no technology to protect anyone against a nuclear explosion (not until force field is invented)

manqiangrexue · Nov 16, 2016

Ultra said:
Bunch of nonsense.
As I have always said, what Taiwan need are nuclear weapons.
It doesn't matter how many billions of army PLA can muster up, nor numerical or technological superiority PLA has over distance. It all doesn't matter one bit when the invading army get annhilated by nuclear mines or SRBM. Taiwan can booby-trap the whole island with nukes and detonate each "base" if it is lost. It will make PLA's lost completely unacceptable and the value of invading Taiwan a big "nil".

It will simply make Taiwan un-invadable. Because nuke is the great equalizer. And there is currently no technology to protect anyone against a nuclear explosion (not until force field is invented)

First of all, anyone who thinks that anything can raise the loss for the PLA to be unacceptable when invading ROC doesn't understand China. For China, Taiwan is a matter of principle and the PLA is ready to fight to the last man or to incur a nuclear trade-off with the United States over Taiwan. This was publicly announced by PLA generals. If nuclear war with the US is acceptable, then what isn't?

Secondly, you sound like you're 13. There is no nuclear "booby-trap" and nothing can make an area "un-invadable." If you set nuclear bombs all over your own territory that can be triggered to explode (you might as well set conventional bombs since that will be enough to blow up a base; unless you wanted to blow up your entire territory, civilian land included), the enemy will strike these areas first by missile (bunker buster if needed) and detonate them on yourself. Secondly, Taiwan is just too small and too close the the mainland; it has no strategic depth. Anywhere it launches a nuclear missile from, the PLA can knock down in boost phase. Nuclear missiles are not magical guarantees, Ultra, and there is a reason why countries like North Korea and Iran don't "nuclear booby-trap" their own country to prevent American invasion and it's not because they're all stupid compared to you.

MwRYum · Nov 16, 2016

Ultra said:
Bunch of nonsense.
As I have always said, what Taiwan need are nuclear weapons.
It doesn't matter how many billions of army PLA can muster up, nor numerical or technological superiority PLA has over distance. It all doesn't matter one bit when the invading army get annhilated by nuclear mines or SRBM. Taiwan can booby-trap the whole island with nukes and detonate each "base" if it is lost. It will make PLA's lost completely unacceptable and the value of invading Taiwan a big "nil".

It will simply make Taiwan un-invadable. Because nuke is the great equalizer. And there is currently no technology to protect anyone against a nuclear explosion (not until force field is invented)

Even if we disregard the kind of religious dogma that Taiwanese held against anything nuclear (without a reactor of your own, you can forget about nukes, unless you buy "a dozen, or more" from somewhere else, breaking quite a few non-proliferation conventions along the way), and it was America's clampdown that shutdown ROC's nuclear weapon programme back in the day, even if they managed to get nukes in any number, they still believe it's useless if it ain't used to "toss at the Mainland" ie. launch it against key targets like Beijing or the Three-Gorges Dam. And the question inevitably lies in the possession of IRBM and LACM that's nuclear-capable, which, as far as anyone can tell, they allot neither the resources nor budget into even the R&D of such.

And knowing them, I can tell you the Taiwanese would never think the idea of holding a gun against their own temple, and threaten to shoot themselves if not getting whatever they want, is an idea that's even worth a nanosecond to entertain.

And as I've mentioned in the beginning, the Taiwanese are slated to go nuclear-free, despite without a proper alternate energy strategy put into place! As it is, they've a shrinking margin of spare capacity with the available generators, and with ever-growing demand they're looking at rolling blackouts becoming a norm within the coming decade.

vesicles · Nov 16, 2016

Ultra said:
Bunch of nonsense.
As I have always said, what Taiwan need are nuclear weapons.
It doesn't matter how many billions of army PLA can muster up, nor numerical or technological superiority PLA has over distance. It all doesn't matter one bit when the invading army get annhilated by nuclear mines or SRBM. Taiwan can booby-trap the whole island with nukes and detonate each "base" if it is lost. It will make PLA's lost completely unacceptable and the value of invading Taiwan a big "nil".

It will simply make Taiwan un-invadable. Because nuke is the great equalizer. And there is currently no technology to protect anyone against a nuclear explosion (not until force field is invented)

"Booby-trap the whole island with nukes"? You realize that you've booby-trapped the entire island along with all its people in a big hole lined with nukes?

Now you've given the Mainland a huge weapon in its hands. All the Mainland needs to do is to threaten to "trip" one or some of the nukes. The most immediate victim of such action would be the annihilation of Taiwan, not the Mainland. And the Mainland doesn't even need to send a singe soldier. That would be enough to make Taiwan public to think twice about doing anything against the will of the Mainland... You've basically put the lives of all Taiwanese in the hands of the Mainland. It's like hanging a sword above your own head... I don't think that's what Taiwan wants...

Like others have been saying, Taiwan is a small island with no strategic depth. Any strategic weapons become useless for Taiwan because, as soon as the weapons system is up, it would become a primary target. IF the Mainland begins an attack, these sites would be their first targets and be taken out of commission within minutes.

The best strategy for Taiwan is to maintain status quo: a US ally, official part of China and an independent democracy in actuality. This way, they get the best of all worlds. They enjoy a free market democracy without political influence from the Mainland, enjoy a tight military alliance with the US and a strong economic and social connection with the Mainland. You get freedom, security and wealth. The best of all worlds. With the support of the US and historical/heritage connection with China, no one will dare to mess with Taiwan. Why mess it all up?

manqiangrexue · Nov 16, 2016

vesicles said:
"Booby-trap the whole island with nukes"? You realize that you've booby-trapped the entire island along with all its people in a big hole lined with nukes?

Now you've given the Mainland a huge weapon in its hands. All the Mainland needs to do is to threaten to "trip" one or some of the nukes. The most immediate victim of such action would be the annihilation of Taiwan, not the Mainland. And the Mainland doesn't even need to send a singe soldier. That would be enough to make Taiwan public to think twice about doing anything against the will of the Mainland... You've basically put the lives of all Taiwanese in the hands of the Mainland. It's like hanging a sword above your own head... I don't think that's what Taiwan wants...

Like others have been saying, Taiwan is a small island with no strategic depth. Any strategic weapons become useless for Taiwan because, as soon as the weapons system is up, it would become a primary target. IF the Mainland begins an attack, these sites would be their first targets and be taken out of commission within minutes.

The best strategy for Taiwan is to maintain status quo: a US ally, official part of China and an independent democracy in actuality. This way, they get the best of all worlds. They enjoy a free market democracy without political influence from the Mainland, enjoy a tight military alliance with the US and a strong economic and social connection with the Mainland. You get freedom, security and wealth. The best of all worlds. With the support of the US and historical/heritage connection with China, no one will dare to mess with Taiwan. Why mess it all up?

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on part of this here. The best way forward for Taiwan is to reunite immediately and enjoy massive investment, opened opportunities, explosive growth, and finally, brotherhood, which it can have with no one else. There is nothing in this current situation for Taiwan to enjoy. It's democracy falls into fist fights in congress, young crazy people barricading government buildings, chaos, and a micro economy that grows like a 90 year old man with 1 leg. Worst of all, all of its current relationships with countries other than China can only be in the position of a pawn to be used against the interests of both the PRC and ROC. If it depends on the US, it will be forever a servant hedging for the master's favor against other servants (how will the US deal if Taiwan and Japan both claim ownership over the same territory; if the US stays neutral, what are Taiwan's chances against Japan?). Only by rejoining the PRC can Taiwan finally lift its head and fight with confidence for itself as part of a rising and already regionally dominant China. Then it would be in an enviable position. Now, it draws only pity.

vesicles · Nov 16, 2016

manqiangrexue said:
I'm gonna have to disagree with you on part of this here. The best way forward for Taiwan is to reunite immediately and enjoy massive investment, opened opportunities, explosive growth, and finally, brotherhood, which it can have with no one else. There is nothing in this current situation for Taiwan to enjoy. It's democracy falls into fist fights in congress, young crazy people barricading government buildings, chaos, and a micro economy that grows like a 90 year old man with 1 leg. Worst of all, all of its current relationships with countries other than China can only be in the position of a pawn to be used against the interests of both the PRC and ROC. If it depends on the US, it will be forever a servant hedging for the master's favor against other servants (how will the US deal if Taiwan and Japan both claim ownership over the same territory; if the US stays neutral, what are Taiwan's chances against Japan?). Only by rejoining the PRC can Taiwan finally lift its head and fight with confidence for itself as part of a rising and already regionally dominant China. Then it would be in an enviable position. Now, it draws only pity.

I meant "the best realistic option". We all know too well that Taiwan won't reunite with the Mainland any time soon. I don't think the Mainland realistically is looking to reunite Taiwan in the near future. I believe that the Mainland's goal for the near future is to maintain status quo for as long as possible.

Skywatcher · Nov 17, 2016

Ultra said:
Bunch of nonsense.
As I have always said, what Taiwan need are nuclear weapons.
It doesn't matter how many billions of army PLA can muster up, nor numerical or technological superiority PLA has over distance. It all doesn't matter one bit when the invading army get annhilated by nuclear mines or SRBM. Taiwan can booby-trap the whole island with nukes and detonate each "base" if it is lost. It will make PLA's lost completely unacceptable and the value of invading Taiwan a big "nil".

It will simply make Taiwan un-invadable. Because nuke is the great equalizer. And there is currently no technology to protect anyone against a nuclear explosion (not until force field is invented)

And what does Taipei do if the Mainland attacks during the build up of the nuclear weapons program?

Equation · Nov 17, 2016

vesicles said:
"Booby-trap the whole island with nukes"? You realize that you've booby-trapped the entire island along with all its people in a big hole lined with nukes?

Now you've given the Mainland a huge weapon in its hands. All the Mainland needs to do is to threaten to "trip" one or some of the nukes. The most immediate victim of such action would be the annihilation of Taiwan, not the Mainland. And the Mainland doesn't even need to send a singe soldier. That would be enough to make Taiwan public to think twice about doing anything against the will of the Mainland... You've basically put the lives of all Taiwanese in the hands of the Mainland. It's like hanging a sword above your own head... I don't think that's what Taiwan wants...

Like others have been saying, Taiwan is a small island with no strategic depth. Any strategic weapons become useless for Taiwan because, as soon as the weapons system is up, it would become a primary target. IF the Mainland begins an attack, these sites would be their first targets and be taken out of commission within minutes.

The best strategy for Taiwan is to maintain status quo: a US ally, official part of China and an independent democracy in actuality. This way, they get the best of all worlds. They enjoy a free market democracy without political influence from the Mainland, enjoy a tight military alliance with the US and a strong economic and social connection with the Mainland. You get freedom, security and wealth. The best of all worlds. With the support of the US and historical/heritage connection with China, no one will dare to mess with Taiwan. Why mess it all up?

vesicles said:
I meant "the best realistic option". We all know too well that Taiwan won't reunite with the Mainland any time soon. I don't think the Mainland realistically is looking to reunite Taiwan in the near future. I believe that the Mainland's goal for the near future is to maintain status quo for as long as possible.

I thought the One China policy means there can only be one Chinese nation? The PRC had many times express their goals to unite Taiwan with the mainland and I doubt they will let any status quo get in the way. Even Taiwan with US as their allies militarily are temporary, there is no way the PRC will allowed this so called "self governing" island to go on infinitely. Now I'm not saying there will be a war of some kind in the future, just that the rulers of Taiwan island needs to forget that idea of their own nation because it's NOT going to happen. The war is over for decades and the KMT lost, time to unite and quit dreaming of your very own little nation.

MwRYum · Nov 17, 2016

Equation said:
I thought the One China policy means there can only be one Chinese nation? The PRC had many times express their goals to unite Taiwan with the mainland and I doubt they will let any status quo get in the way. Even Taiwan with US as their allies militarily are temporary, there is no way the PRC will allowed this so called "self governing" island to go on infinitely. Now I'm not saying there will be a war of some kind in the future, just that the rulers of Taiwan island needs to forget that idea of their own nation because it's NOT going to happen. The war is over for decades and the KMT lost, time to unite and quit dreaming of your very own little nation.

It's a mix between denial of reality (that the best opportunity of independence has long gone) and the "let other people's sons (typically they refer to the Americans, but you should know that after Vietnam, that "America" has gone for good) do the dying for us" mentality that grips Taiwan as we speak. So they keep thinking such a dream can be achieved for free, or as an entitled one that should be delivered to their doorstep with a silver platter.

"Thanks" to such mentality has infected the youth of HK, that I finally witness it first hand, and be totally disgusted by such lunacy.

Equation · Nov 17, 2016

MwRYum said:
It's a mix between denial of reality (that the best opportunity of independence has long gone) and the "let other people's sons (typically they refer to the Americans, but you should know that after Vietnam, that "America" has gone for good) do the dying for us" mentality that grips Taiwan as we speak. So they keep thinking such a dream can be achieved for free, or as an entitled one that should be delivered to their doorstep with a silver platter.

"Thanks" to such mentality has infected the youth of HK, that I finally witness it first hand, and be totally disgusted by such lunacy.

Religious institutions are partially to blame for that. They instill such nonsense to any gullible one who would listen, as a result their mental state of reality are ruined.

Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Ultra

Junior Member

manqiangrexue

Brigadier

MwRYum

Major

vesicles

Colonel

manqiangrexue

Brigadier

vesicles

Colonel

Skywatcher

Captain

Equation

Lieutenant General

MwRYum

Major

Equation

Lieutenant General