What lessons does Taiwan see from Iran and Ukraine for its air-defence strategy?

2026.03.16 13:50 An instructor from the Ukrainian company General Cherry demonstrates the operation of an anti-air interceptor drone designed to destroy Russian attack drones, in Kyiv on Wednesday. Photo: AP Lessons from the wars in Iran and Ukraine are pushing Taipei to rethink its air-defence strategy, with officials now warning that expensive missiles alone cannot stop large waves of rockets and drones. In a report submitted to Taiwan’s lawmakers on Monday, the island’s defence ministry said low-cost interceptor weapons were urgently needed to counter the mainland Chinese military’s growing arsenal of long-range rockets and uncrewed aircraft. The new systems would form part of Taiwan’s planned “Taiwan Shield”, or T-Dome, a layered air-defence architecture designed to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the island could sustain defensive operations during an armed conflict. The ministry said the concept reflected lessons drawn from recent conflicts, including missile and drone exchanges involving the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as the Ukraine war. “The conflicts showed how large numbers of relatively cheap weapons can overwhelm traditional air-defence systems,” the ministry said, adding that missile defence and counter-drone capabilities had become central issues for modern air defence. The ministry did not disclose the cost of the proposed interceptors. Local media reports, citing officials familiar with the programme, said each interceptor could cost between US$50,000 and US$150,000 – far cheaper than conventional air-defence missiles such as the US-made Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams). During Monday’s legislative session in Taipei, lawmakers warned that using expensive interceptors against cheap weapons could quickly drain stockpiles and weaken Taiwan’s ability to sustain a prolonged conflict. Legislator Wang Ting-yu of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party asked whether Taiwan had adequate countermeasur

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