Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou inaugurated a squadron of missile boats Thursday as he pledged to continue the island's military buildup to offset the perceived military threat from China.
The fleet of 10 locally manufactured missile boats joined the navy following a ceremony presided over by Ma at the northeastern naval base in Suao.
I mentioned what I assume are the same boats in this post. Taiwan is supposed to have 30 in service by the end of this year.
Taiwan will need boats like this to deter or defeat an invasion. Taiwan's bigger ships are too vulnerable in the narrow straits exposed to Chinese fast attack boats, submarines, and aircraft. The bigger Taiwanese ships with air defense and anti-submarine capabilities are safer east of Taiwan where they can keep Taiwan's sea lines of communication open. Together with mine countermeasures vessels and helicopters, that's where these ships belong. Also, operating at the northern and southern tips of Taiwan, the bigger ships could use anti-ship missiles to strike into the strait area before retiring behind the shield of the home island.
But to operate in the strait itself under the shadow of Chinese power, Taiwan needs many small boats that can survive as long as possible (with stealth features, small size, and operating amongst ground clutter close to shore) to hit the invasion fleet in cooperation with shore-based helicopters with anti-ship missiles, air power, shore-based missiles, and submarines (get submarines fast!).
