Taiwan to Build ‘T-Dome’ Air Defense System Like Israel’s Iron Dome

In his National Day address, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced the construction of the ‘T-Dome’ air defense system for the country, which will be modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome.

• Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said that a new multi-layered air defense system called T-Dome would be built to create a security shield for the country.
• In his National Day address, Lai said that T-Dome would establish a strong air defense system with multi-layered protection, high-level identification, and effective interception.
• Democratically governed Taiwan is facing increasing military and political pressure from China, which considers the island its territory despite strong objections from the Taipei government.
• Taiwan is increasing defense spending and modernizing its armed forces, but it faces China, whose military is much larger and which is adding a wide range of advanced new weapons such as stealth fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and missiles.
• In his National Day address, Lai said that Taiwan is determined to spend more on defense and will propose a special budget for military spending by the end of the year, reflecting the government’s determination to defend the island.

T-Dome

• The purpose of “T-Dome” will be similar to Israel’s Iron Dome. “T-Dome” expenditure plans will be included in the upcoming budget proposal by the end of the year.
• The capabilities of the Iron Dome have become particularly evident since Israel’s war with Hamas began in October 2023. Over the past two years, this shield has intercepted thousands of rockets fired by Hamas and other terrorist groups such as Hezbollah.
• Taiwan’s existing air defense systems are mainly based on the U.S.-made Patriot and Taiwan-developed Sky Bow missiles.
• Last month, Taiwan unveiled its latest air defense missile, the Chiang-Kung, at a major arms exhibition in Taipei. It is designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles and reach higher altitudes than the Patriots.
• Taiwan’s National Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the 1911 uprising, which led to the overthrow of China’s last imperial dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.

China–Taiwan Dispute

• China considers Taiwan one of its provinces, but Taiwan is a self-governing democracy that sees itself as a sovereign country.
• The dispute arose from the Chinese Civil War of 1949, when the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan, and since then China has claimed that it will bring Taiwan back under its control.
• Chinese people began settling in Taiwan during the Tang dynasty. After China’s defeat in the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan.
• After World War II: Following Japan’s defeat in World War II in 1945, China regained control over Taiwan.
• Under the “One China” policy, China considers Taiwan a part of itself. Meanwhile, Taiwan regards itself as a sovereign democracy with its own constitution and elected government.
• China’s “One China” principle includes the mainland People’s Republic of China (PRC), as well as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.