Utilization and Construction of Taiwan’s Air Force against Chinese Military Threats

The relationship between China and Taiwan today is at the level of its greatest intensity since the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis. Chinese military actions against Taiwan are considered to be the greatest threats from the Taiwanese perspective. As Taiwan sees its air force as a key component of its overall military power, a study on ways Taiwan constructs its airpower based on strategic concepts seems extremely timely, serving as a potential reference point for various future conflict scenarios. Against this backdrop, this paper poses two research questions: 1) what are Taiwan’s military strategy and relevant strategic concepts against Chinese military threats? 2) what are the concepts and directions behind utilizing and constructing its airpower to achieve its strategic concepts? This paper finds that Taiwan is currently constructing its airpower to achieve its military objectives with a defensive strategic concept. Understanding and examining Taiwan’s security environment and military strategy with strategic concepts put forth by the Taiwanese Air Force could serve as a valuable resource for countries with similar military assets and security environments.