US Troop Increase to Taiwan: Ready for Chinese Invasion
The United States is significantly increasing the number of troops deployed to Taiwan, more than quadrupling the current number to bolster a training program for the island’s military amid a rising threat from China. The U.S. deployment to Taiwan is the largest in decades and is meant to ready Taiwan forces in the event of a Chinese invasion.
This marks the first time troops at battalion level, typically consisting of around 500 soldiers, will travel to the US for training – rather than platoon (25-60 troops) or company (80-150) level as in the past.[0] Trainees are required to run past two obstacles before taking a total of 36 shots from the three different positions at nine targets that are about 50 to 75 meters away within 1 minute and 45 seconds.[1]
As reported by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, the US military presence in Taiwan may increase to a range of 100 to 200 troops, up from the approximate 30 present one year ago.
In 2022, China expressed its displeasure with the United States as a result of Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan, when she served as Speaker of the House.[2] Last year, China responded to a situation by carrying out military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan.[2]
According to a source familiar with the situation, a joint battalion made up mostly of personnel from the 333rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade and 542nd Armor Brigade of the Army is anticipated to travel to the United States during the second half of 2021 for military exchange activities.[3]
The Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command's Army Major Chang Chia-hua (張家華) stated that the most significant difference in the new program is its accentuation on the soldiers' physical fitness and perseverance, as well as their capability to maintain steadiness and regulate their respiration when shooting after moving.[1]
As tensions between Taiwan and China remain high, Taiwan's military has implemented the latest change in their ongoing training reforms to increase their combat readiness.[4] The U.S. increase in personnel is meant to bolster a training program to ready Taiwan forces in case of a Chinese invasion. The US is aiming to help Taiwan in the face of China's growing military buildup and its aggressive maneuvers.[0]
Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said in an interview with CommonWealth Magazine published this week, “There is no need to debate whether the Chinese military is stronger and larger than Taiwan’s.[5]
0. “Taiwan to send largest-ever military troops to US for training: Report” msnNOW, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/taiwan-to-send-largest-ever-military-troops-to-us-for-training-report/ar-AA17RbAC
1. “Army showcases new shooting training program” 台北時報, 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/02/22/2003794830
2. “As China tensions mount, US planning to quadruple military presence in Taiwan” Straight Arrow News, 23 Feb. 2023, https://straightarrownews.com/cc/as-china-tensions-mount-us-planning-to-quadruple-military-presence-in-taiwan/
3. “Taiwan's plan to send battalion to U.S. shows progress in exchanges” Focus Taiwan, 22 Feb. 2023, https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202302220024
4. “Military's new shooting training simulates real battlefield: Army” Focus Taiwan, 21 Feb. 2023, https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202302210007
5. “Taiwan Could Survive Initial China Invasion, Military Head Says” Bloomberg, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-22/taiwan-could-survive-initial-china-invasion-military-head-says
