Analysis | Why Tsai is giving Taiwan’s arms industry a boost
Pressure from Beijing and economic slowdown prompt switch to more self-reliant approach
Political and economic needs have driven Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to revitalise the island’s declining defence industry by developing home-grown weapons, military experts say, even though the US is considering selling it more and better defensive arms.
“Taiwan has paid quite a lot to the US for weapon purchases, and now is still paying bills for some earlier deals made by Tsai’s predecessors,” Taipei-based cross-strait expert Professor Arthur Ding said.
Professor Lin Chong-Pin, a former Taiwanese deputy defence minister, said the island needed some basic hi-tech weapons, but also needed to deal with an economic downturn.
“Whether Taiwan has sufficient money to satisfy the US arms suppliers is uncertain,” he said. “And even if Taiwan can buy all the needed weapons, can Taiwan’s arsenal match that of the People’s Liberation Army?”
Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province subject to reunification by force if necessary.