Taiwan and the US are in discussions to set up a “contingency stockpile” of munitions on Taiwan’s soil. The creation of such a stockpile could be vital to the island’s defense, as it could be incredibly difficult to supply the island with additional weapons if war does break out. Taiwan recently announced an extension to mandatory military service periods from four months to a year and accelerated the development of its indigenous weapons program to boost its combat readiness. Talks between the US and Taiwan over the possible stockpile could prove a game-changer, as it enables the island to stock up ammunition before any conflict begins.
The talks raise the question of what exactly Taiwan needs for its defense. Military experts say Taiwan urgently needs to stock up on smaller and more mobile weapons that would have a higher chance of surviving the first wave of a Chinese attack in an all-out conflict. Taiwan’s military assets are already vastly outnumbered by China’s and could easily be paralyzed by long-range missiles. In a high-profile book published last year, titled “Overall Defense Concept,” Taiwan's former Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Lee Hsi-min, argued that Taiwan should shift away from investing heavily in fighter jets and destroyers. Instead, Taiwan should focus on asymmetric weapon systems that allow it to maintain its combat capabilities.
The US is bound by law to sell arms to Taiwan for its self-defense, but it remains deliberately vague on whether it would intervene in the event of a Chinese invasion, a policy known as “strategic ambiguity.” Under the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, Taiwan will be eligible to receive up to $1 billion in weapons and munitions from the United States to counter China’s growing military threat. The act also allows for the creation of a regional contingency stockpile, which would enable the Pentagon to store weapons in Taiwan for use if a military conflict with China arises.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that it is in discussions with the United States on the definition of a “contingency,” the types of munitions that can be operated immediately by its armed forces, and the timeline for shipping the items. The US Indo-Pacific Command declined to provide details about the progress of talks on creating the stockpile but said it would continue to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability. China’s Foreign Ministry told CNN that it “resolutely opposes” any military exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, adding that Beijing will take “all necessary measures” to defend its sovereignty and security interests.