Low-cost air defense options eyedStaff writer, with CNATaiwan’s main weapons research-and-development unit is working to develop low-cost munitions to counter China’s potential use of similar weapons in a conflict that could deplete Taiwan’s stock of air defense missiles. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu, left, and Deputy Minister of National Defense for Armaments Chung Shu-ming attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. Lien said the Ministry of National Defense hopes to acquire munitions through multiple channels, including for Taiwan’s “T-Dome,” which aims to provide low, medium and high-altitude air defense coverage. Li and Lien’s comments came after the ministry presented a report reviewing Taiwan’s air and missile defense capabilities, including low-cost interception methods and counterdrone measures, in light of the ongoing war in the Middle East. The report said the development of affordable air defense munitions capable of intercepting long-range rockets was being considered to prevent adversaries from depleting Taiwan’s reserves of air defense missiles and ensure operational resilience.
