The Taiwanese government has approved a plan to establish two new missile bases on the country’s east coast to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion.
With a budget of 1.71 billion New Taiwan dollars ($54.4 million), the initiative will address the increasing need for facilities to store and maintain weapons, especially domestically made missiles.
The bases will be built in Xincheng and Ji An Townships far from mainland China to protect the missiles from being targeted by Chinese attacks, according to a report by Liberty Times.
The two projects are expected to be completed by 2026.
Last year, the government also approved a budget of 2.42 billion New Taiwan dollars ($77 million) to construct two military bases in northeastern Taiwan.
Meeting Demand
Taipei’s move comes as the country ramps up domestic production of missile systems in preparation for China.
The small island nation is currently developing the Hsiung Feng II subsonic anti-ship missile, the Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile, and the extended-range Hsiung Feng III, which has a 400-kilometer (248-mile) range.
They will be completed in 2026, in time to establish new missile bases.
In August 2023, a high-ranking Taiwanese defense official also announced the country would develop a new combat aircraft missile as powerful as the US-made AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM.
To be named the Tien Chien V, the weapon will boast a strike range of 160 kilometers (99 miles).
In Time for 2027?
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense will oversee the creation of two new missile bases to ensure that construction will be completed as scheduled.
The 2026 deadline is one year away from China’s alleged plan to invade the island nation in 2027, as per US intelligence.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had reportedly ordered his military to develop the capability to take control of Taiwan.
Several recent Chinese incursions have been recorded along the Taiwan Strait, including last month when Chinese warships and aircraft were spotted crossing the sensitive median line that divides the two nations.