Taiwan Military Forces 🇹🇼

Strategic Position

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is situated in the Western Pacific, positioned at the center of the First Island Chain between Japan and the Philippines. The primary security concern is the territorial claim by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the resulting risk of a cross-strait conflict. Taiwan’s defense strategy centers on the Overall Defense Concept (ODC), which prioritizes asymmetric warfare, cost-effectiveness, and the preservation of force through decentralized command. This "porcupine strategy" focuses on denying a successful amphibious invasion by neutralizing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at its most vulnerable points during transit and landing.

Taiwan lacks formal membership in regional or international military alliances. Security is largely underpinned by the Taiwan Relations Act with the United States, which mandates the provision of defensive weaponry and maintains the capacity of the U.S. to resist any resort to force against Taiwan. In 2025 and 2026, Taiwan has increased informal security cooperation and intelligence sharing with regional partners, including Japan and Australia, particularly concerning maritime domain awareness in the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait.

Military Forces

The Republic of China Armed Forces are organized under the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Communications, Electronic and Information Force. Active personnel number approximately 170,000 to 190,000, supported by a reserve structure undergoing reorganization to improve mobilization timelines and training standards for its 2 million registered reservists.

The Army fields M60A3 Patton and CM-11 Brave Tiger tanks, with the integration of M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks ongoing through 2025 and 2026. Infantry units utilize CM-32 and CM-34 Clouded Leopard 8x8 armored vehicles. Artillery capabilities include M109 self-propelled howitzers and the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.

The Air Force operates a fleet of F-16V (Block 20 and Block 70) multirole fighters, Mirage 2000-5 interceptors, and the F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF). Pilot training is transitioning to the T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer. Air defense is integrated through the Sky Bow (Tien Kung) and Patriot (PAC-3) missile systems.

The Navy maintains a fleet of Kee Lung-class destroyers, Cheng Kung-class (Perry-type) frigates, and Kang Ding-class (Lafayette-type) frigates. The fleet is shifting toward smaller, more survivable assets, including Tuo Chiang-class stealth corvettes and missile-armed fast attack craft. The submarine force consists of older Chien Lung-class boats and the new Hai Kun-class indigenous diesel-electric submarines currently undergoing sea trials and commissioning.

Specialized capabilities include the Information, Communication and Electronic Force Command, which manages cyber defense and electronic warfare. The military also maintains a robust missile inventory, including the Hsiung Feng II and III anti-ship missiles and the Yun Feng supersonic cruise missile for deep-strike operations.

Defense Industry

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) serves as the primary entity for domestic research and development. Taiwan achieves a degree of self-sufficiency in missile technology, producing the Sky Bow surface-to-air, Sky Sword air-to-air, and Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile families. The Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) manages the production and maintenance of indigenous aircraft, including the F-CK-1 IDF and the T-5 Brave Eagle.

Shipbuilding is led by the CSBC Corporation, which is responsible for the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program and the construction of landing platform docks and corvettes. While Taiwan has expanded domestic production, it remains reliant on the United States for critical components, including aircraft engines, advanced radar systems, and submarine combat systems. There are no major export programs, as production is prioritized for domestic requirements.

Strategic Trends

Defense spending in 2025 and 2026 is maintained at approximately 2.5% of GDP, excluding special budgets for fighter aircraft and anti-ship missile mass production. A major doctrinal shift is the implementation of the one-year mandatory conscription period, which became fully operational for all eligible males in 2025 to address personnel shortages and improve the readiness of the territorial defense force.

Procurement priorities focus on mobile, lethal, and distributed systems. This includes the acquisition of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, loitering munitions, and land-based Harpoon coastal defense systems. The military is also prioritizing hardened infrastructure and redundant communications to counter PRC "gray zone" tactics, which involve frequent air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and across the Taiwan Strait median line. Constraints facing the military include a shrinking recruitment pool due to low birth rates and the logistical challenge of maintaining a diverse fleet of aging and modern equipment.