Three F-15 fighter jets of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (front) and four F-16 fighter jets of the U.S. Air Force are flying together over the East Sea on the 25th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As the war that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues for over 100 days, signs of a Cold War revival are emerging. Countries around the world are actively strengthening their military capabilities, significantly increasing defense budgets to around 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to Kyodo News on the 5th, the Japanese government is considering expanding the stockpile of missiles and ammunition possessed or used by the Self-Defense Forces. Based on the substantial increase in defense spending policy expressed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at last month's Japan-US summit, this plan is expected to be reflected in the 2023 fiscal year budget to be compiled by the end of this year.
This move is analyzed as a response to recent military build-ups by China and changes in the situation surrounding the Taiwan Strait. The Japanese government is reportedly working to strengthen defense capabilities for the Nansei Islands between Kyushu and Taiwan. This includes increasing stockpiles of anti-aircraft missiles and upgraded Patriot (PAC3) surface-to-air guided missiles for ballistic missile defense, as well as torpedoes to prevent ships from approaching remote islands.
The impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is also a factor. Observing Ukraine's resistance against Russia, which boasted overwhelming military power, Japan judged that improving sustained combat capability is necessary.
Taiwan, which is in confrontation with China, has focused on the effectiveness of asymmetric warfare in the Ukraine war. Asymmetric warfare involves exploiting the enemy's weaknesses through different means and methods rather than responding with the same tactics used by a stronger opponent, including missile attacks and guerrilla warfare. Ukraine repelled Russian forces, which relied on mechanized units, around the capital Kyiv using asymmetric tactics such as anti-tank missiles, portable surface-to-air missiles, and drones.
Similarly, Taiwan believes that to defeat the Chinese military, it must focus on mobility and precision strikes through asymmetric warfare, requiring suitable small arms and special forces units.
Taiwan plans to purchase an additional 400 Javelin anti-tank missiles, which proved effective in Ukraine, between 2023 and 2024. Recently, Taiwanese special forces conducted joint training locally with the US Green Berets, who are known to have taught techniques such as high-altitude infiltration and nighttime high-altitude parachuting to Taiwanese special forces. Taiwan has also developed missile capabilities to deter Chinese military approaches and strike mainland China.
On the 19th of last month (local time), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced plans to provide weapons support to Ukraine. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]
European countries have also begun actively strengthening their military capabilities. According to major foreign media on the 3rd (local time), the German Bundestag approved a special defense fund worth 100 billion euros (approximately 134 trillion won) on that day.
As a result, Germany will be able to achieve its goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense annually by 2024, as promised to NATO in 2014. It has also become the country with the third-largest defense budget in the world, following the United States and China.
Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, as well as Italy and Denmark, are also pushing to increase defense spending due to security concerns. Swedish Prime Minister Andersson, who is seeking NATO membership, stated, "We are currently increasing defense spending" and "We will reach 2% of GDP as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, as the trend of strengthening defense capabilities continues worldwide after the Ukraine war, some have warned that a Third World War could begin.
According to CNN and others, billionaire American investor George Soros said at the Swiss Davos Forum on the 24th of last month, "Even if the Ukraine war ends, the situation will never return to what it was before." He added, "This could be the start of World War III, and civilization may not survive."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
