Taiwan Expands Anti-Ship Missile Arsenal to 1,800 Units

The Government of the Republic of China is expanding its anti-ship missile arsenal to more than 1,800 units by early 2029. This buildup is a central part of an asymmetric defense strategy intended to create a kill zone in the Taiwan Strait to prevent a People's Liberation Army landing. The arsenal will consist of domestically produced Hsiung Feng missiles and Harpoon missiles supplied by the United States.

To manage these assets, the government will establish a Littoral Combat Command on July 1. This command will integrate coastal radars, drones, and missiles. While the Ministry of National Defense asserts that these systems are deployed in a mobile and dispersed manner to ensure survivability, some former military officials argue that fixed installations remain vulnerable to pre-emptive strikes.

The expansion depends in part on a planned $14 billion arms sale currently awaiting approval from U.S. President Donald Trump. President Trump recently discussed the situation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to conflict between the two superpowers.