Taiwan Boosts Air Defence with Land Sword II, Amid Tensions
The live fire debut of the Land Sword II system marks a significant milestone in Taiwan's efforts to enhance its air defence capabilities, as the country navigates the challenges posed by its geopolitical conflict with China and seeks to bolster its military readiness through strategic acquisitions and drills.
Taiwan's military has successfully conducted the live fire debut of its Land Sword II surface-to-air missile system, enhancing its air defence capabilities to counter diverse aerial threats, as tensions with China continue to escalate in the Taiwan Strait.
The Land Sword II system's live fire debut comes on the heels of Taiwan's first live-firing of the American-supplied HIMARS, a high mobility artillery rocket system, which can fire 33 rockets with a range of up to 300 kilometers. The HIMARS system has been purchased from the US in two batches, with the second batch scheduled to arrive in 2026. These developments are part of Taiwan's efforts to bolster its military readiness amidst the ongoing geopolitical conflict with China, which insists on the "One China" policy and uses diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally.
The Taiwan-China issue is a longstanding conflict centered on Taiwan's sovereignty. Recent drills conducted by the Taiwanese military in Pingtung County, Southern Taiwan, featured the launch of Land Sword II ground-to-air missiles and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rocket practice rounds, demonstrating Taiwan's commitment to enhancing its defence capabilities. Meanwhile, global defence companies like Lockheed Martin are navigating funding disputes and securing major arms deals, including a $600 billion deal to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, which may include the purchase of Lockheed F-35 jets.
As Taiwan continues to strengthen its air defence capabilities, the international community watches with interest, aware of the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. The ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China, coupled with the involvement of global defence companies and other nations, underscore the need for careful diplomacy and strategic planning to maintain regional stability and security.