How does Taiwan defend MRBM

Now, Beijing has deployed over 1000 ballistic missiles at Taiwan of thither. Taiwan will not resist so many attacking by BM, which was calculated by military fans and professions to both.
US, the arsenal of democracy, taken responsibility to defence the first democratic regime of China, but selling F-16C/D exchange for Taiwan's XiongFeng 2E abandoned.
Are there any other way to defence Taiwan?

Sure. Although China can bomb them relentlessly, to win the war they have to have boots on the ground.
China doesnt have that much of a navy to begin with, so although Taiwan is just a stones throw off the Chinese coast, they would have problems getting troops transported across the straight and into Taiwan.
Taiwan can make it that much harder for them by surrounding their island with mines and point every anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile they have towards the Chinese mainland.
Come to think of it, that would be a great place for the US to test their ABM shield. They need to set a system up in Taiwan, so when China starts hurtling thousands of missiles at them, the US can see how effective the system is.

China has been building amphibious assault ships for the last few years. Even a line of thought that container ships could be used:

www.americanthinker.com...

It has also upgraded part of it's military:

www.csmonitor.com...

Even it's more modern subs have "surprised" our battle groups at sea. This is the most disturbing of all the improvements. When Taiwan is attacked, the US will immediately respond with a minimal force of 2 battle groups and most likely 4. Without aircraft carriers, it's just a large group of ships with limited offensive power. Probably ought to keep this in mind for a few years.

www.taipeitimes.com...

Nothing will happen before the Olympic games are over in China. The country has invest too much money to showcase what modern communism can do when capitalism is allowed to work with a socialist government.

After 2009, all bets are off with China and everyone else, including Russia.

"When Taiwan is attacked, the US will immediately respond with a minimal force of 2 battle groups and most likely 4."

If China attacks Taiwan the US will do nothing other than rhetoric posturing. Not a chance that US military forces will be deployed to help. The policy position of the US for years with regards to Taiwan has been nothing more than hollow rhetoric.

AncientMariner

If China is going to attack, what the hell are they waiting for? Every day they stall is another day for Taiwan to get stronger. IMHO, China knows they would lose this fight.

The Allied assault on Normandy in June 1944 was the largest amphibious operation in military history. A Chinese attack across the Taiwan Strait would present a remarkably similar geographical scope, though the correlation of forces would be far less favorable for the attacking force.

www.globalsecurity.org...

I agree that the US will stay out of this one, how could they get involved without initiating a draft to cover the troop deficits?

They won't need to "stay out" because China will never invade. They are so far behind militarily that they will never catch up enough to do it.

Originally posted by uberarcanistEvery day they stall is another day for Taiwan to get stronger.

The Chinese military is developing on a much faster rate than the Taiwanese military. In fact, the Taiwanese military has not progressed for the last 10 years. In a simple comparison, the PLA has double, triple, quad ripple the amount of equipment the Taiwanese military and on most occasions surpasses their technology. Not to mention all the technology the Taiwanese don't have.

Also, the Taiwanese military in the foreseeable future will not receive any new equipment of note because the bills are being blocked by Pro-mainland forces in the Taiwanese government. The situation is quite similar to George Bush's where the opposition holds the majority of the government, effectively making him a lame duck

Originally posted by uberarcanist
If China is going to attack, what the hell are they waiting for?

To keep the status quo. A little agreement between the US and china ......

So 29 new missile boats coming online by 2010 is making no progress?

Originally posted by uberarcanist
So 29 new missile boats coming online by 2010 is making no progress?

NO. .

Apart from the fact that they are ONLY 180 ton FAC, they don't have the required guidance systems to launch their "harpoon" like weapons at ranges where Chinese aircraft cant reach them.

Adding to the fact that they are replacing the existing 47 Hai Ou does not give them anymore capability then they had beforehand

Here are some pictures. Tiny boats

Here is an interesting report to Congress from May 2007

ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS
Military Power of the People’s Republic of China
2007

Taiwan completed delivery of four KIDD-class DDGs in 2006.

The Chinese Communist Party’s heavy reliance on secrecy acts in tandem with military deception to limit transparency in national security decisionmaking, military capabilities, and strategic intentions.

However, over-confidence may result from military leaders enamored with the uncertain benefits of stratagem and deception. In addition, the same skills commanders use against adversaries can be used to cover up or slow the transmission of bad news internal to the PLA system, a chronic problem in the PRC.
Secrecy and deception may therefore be a double-edged sword, confusing China’s leaders as much as China’s adversaries.

www.globalsecurity.org...

Taiwan doesn't stand much of a chance w/o US assistance.
They could probably hold out for a fortnight and then it would be upto resistance forces to keep the taiwanese dream alive.

the KIDD`s are 30 years old (did you know they were built for Iran?) but have SM-2MR (finally a full load out - for a while they sailed with only a part load).

Originally posted by Harlequin
(did you know they were built for Iran?)

Are you sure, I didn't see anything on that but that they were decommissioned US Navy Ships.

Taiwan announced early in 2001 that it was seeking to buy the U.S. Navy's four decommissioned Kidd-class DDGs and that a price of $732 million had been established.

www.subsim.com...

very very sure

www.fas.org...

The four destroyers of the Kidd class were originally built for the Shah of Iran, and were acquired by the US Navy following the Shah's overthrow in 1979. The US Navy acquired them in 1981 and 1982 after they were canceled by the succeeding Iranian government. For this reason they are often referred to as the "Ayatollah class".

en.wikipedia.org...

they even have the Iranian names due to be applied!

Harlequin,

Thanks for the info and link, appreciated

Taiwan doesnt have really much to resist ballistic bombardment. But they have decent Air defenses...and though China might outnumber the Taiwanese airforce...Patriot are a decent SAM platform and theoretically...would keep Chinese Airforce at bay...

That who rules the skies...wins, so its more like the flip of the coin..will Taiwan hold out enough for the US to intercede??

IMO the only way Taiwan can win is by preventing the Chinese from landing, the moment the first PLA soldier or PLAN marine hits the beach it is pretty much assured to be a "great victory for the peoples and a liberated China". And the Chinese would suffer heavy casualties before they even hit the beach from artillery, aircraft, missiles, etc. Dont forget that much of the PLAN and PLAAF was very outdated and poorly equipped until very recently so the Taiwanese/ROC Air Force could very likely have control of the skies.

[edit on 25-7-2007 by ChrisF231]

Well, if Taiwan does keep control of the air, its solved, no chance for any landing craft to reach the beach if they get zeroed in from above.

China can bomb with Ballistic missiles anything they want...if they cant control the air, no chance to win, at all.