US Floods Ukraine War with Weapons... Taiwan's 'Hedgehog' Strategy Warning Lights

WSJ Reports Citing US Government and Congressional Officials
Unpaid Amount Increases to $18.7 Billion

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As the Ukraine war drags on as a war of attrition, U.S. support for Taiwan is also facing setbacks. Warning signs have appeared even in the U.S. 'hedgehog strategy,' which focuses on deploying anti-air and anti-ship missiles to deter enemy invasions.

On the 27th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing U.S. government and congressional officials, reported that the scale of undelivered weapons to Taiwan amounts to $18.7 billion (about 25.02 trillion KRW). This is an increase of more than $4 billion compared to December last year ($14 billion).

The delayed supplies include 208 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 215 Stinger surface-to-air missiles, as well as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and howitzers, which the U.S. deployed extensively in the Ukraine war and played a game-changing role.

A congressional official stated that the Harpoon anti-ship missiles contracted by Taiwan last March are expected to be delivered in about four years at the earliest, and 66 F-16 fighter jets produced by Lockheed Martin are expected to be delivered around 2025.

According to a U.S. congressional report, the delay in weapon deliveries to Taiwan is due to depletion of existing weapon stockpiles and supply chain issues. Jeff Neader, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy during the Donald Trump administration, pointed out, "Even if there had been no weapon aid to Ukraine, the U.S. weapon stockpile was at too low a level."

Additionally, production slowdowns caused by global supply chain disruptions have had an impact. Mark Cancian, who was responsible for force structure investment at the U.S. Department of Defense, said, "Bottlenecks in weapon production are largely due to rising raw material prices and a shortage of skilled labor."

Taiwan's concerns are deepening. Wang Xinlong, Deputy Director of the Armaments Bureau at Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, recently stated, "We will request that weapons be delivered according to the planned schedule from the U.S."

Taiwan has pursued a strategy to strengthen its own armaments in preparation for a possible Chinese military invasion. The concept is to have a defense capability at a level where even a great power would have to bear the consequences if it recklessly provokes Taiwan, like a hedgehog covered densely with spines on its back.

Since China is expected to attempt a military invasion of Taiwan as early as 2027, concerns within the U.S. about delays in weapon deliveries to Taiwan are growing.

Michael McCaul, Republican ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pointed out, "In some cases, weapon sales have not been delivered to Taiwan for more than three years," adding, "Learning from the Ukraine situation, it is advantageous to supply weapons in advance rather than after the outbreak of conflict."

The U.S. has a policy of not reducing weapon aid to Ukraine and Taiwan. Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of Defense, said, "We continue to work to ensure Ukraine can defend itself against Russian attacks while also providing Taiwan with the capabilities it needs."