The Biden Administration plans to increase U.S. weapons production in support of the war in Ukraine, and also to assist Taiwan with preparing for a possible Russian-style attack from China. This was stated Friday by Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Adviser.
Mr. Sullivan said that the government is urging Taiwanese political and military leaders, to buy arms more suited for fighting the Chinese army if they were to invade the democratically ruled country.
Due the necessity to produce more weapons quickly, the Pentagon works on ways to expand the American defense industrial basis, and allied defense industries to ensure weapons and other military gear can be manufactured to deter potential adversaries.
The weaponry that Mr. Sullivan claimed he studied over the past months is all kinds of artillery and coastal defenses, as well as naval mines.
The United States has so far sent over $5.6 billion worth of weapons and security assistance to Ukraine’s military, which includes anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft rockets as well sophisticated artillery.
The aid shipments raise questions over whether U.S. Military stocks are replenishable and whether comparable arms could be made available to Taiwan if China decided to attack the island.
” There are more long-term concerns about ensuring the American and allies’ industrial bases can sustain the type of security assistance we need. Mr. Sullivan spoke at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, a significant annual conference.
To increase the production of weapons, it will take more investment and an increased industrial workforce. He also suggested that there should be a greater emphasis placed on supply chains for components used in maintaining weapon systems.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks leads the effort.
” We have a great strategy, and we are working on it,” said Mr. Sullivan.
A White House advisor stated that there was some overlap in the types of weapons sent to Ukraine and Taiwan’s needs against an attack by China.
” There are some significant differences due to the nature of contingency. The conflict could be very different from landwar in Europe and a possible contingency across Taiwan Strait,” said Mr. Sullivan.
Mr. Sullivan said that the administration had “accelerated dramatically” the previous administration’s efforts to give Taiwan more asymmetric warfare capability to allow for a Ukrainian-style defense. The island is located approximately 100miles off the south coast of China.
The so-called “porcupine Strategy” will provide arms and military forces for “the kinds of contingencies that we can expect”, he stated.
The administration is urging Taiwanese officials to search for U.S. arms better equipped to resist an amphibious attack from China, U.S. defense officers said.
The pressure is on Taiwan’s military to purchase fewer aircraft, more sophisticated systems such as M 109A6 Paldin self-propelled howitzers and HIMARS rocket launchers.
Precision-strike HIMARS artillery was sent to Ukraine, although the 190-mile-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) were denied to the Ukrainians as too escalatory.
Additional Stinger anti-aircraft rockets could also be fired from the shoulder, as well as Harpoon antiship weapons. These can all be used to send missiles to Taiwan in support of the strategy.
Coastal missiles of defense, drones and mines for coastal areas are all part of the post-Ukraine defense upgrades.
Earlier at the conference, both William Burns (CIA Director) and Richard Moore (British MI6 Intelligence chief), stated that China closely monitors Russian military operations as well as Ukrainian defenses during the European conflict.
One troubling lesson that China may learn is that Beijing might not stop at attacking Taiwan. They will look at the Russian military operations and ask “How can we make it better?” Mr. Sullivan stated that he does not predict an invasion.
Mr. Sullivan stated that Taiwan is also studying the war. He said that the people are now learning valuable lessons on citizen mobilization, and are moving quickly to implement them.
If Ukraine wins the war against Russia and prevails, it could deter China’s desire to take over Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that retaking Taiwan which was seized from the mainland during a civil war between nationalists and communists is a top priority.
” I believe that part of the objective we have in Ukraine must be able show strength, resilience and staying power. That will impact our ability to effectively repel others,” said Mr. Sullivan.
Despite President Biden’s public statements that the United States would defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack in three places, U.S. policy towards Taiwan is unchanged according to Mr. Sullivan.
The policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Beijing’s or Taipei’s sole Taiwan government has helped to maintain peace and stability in the Strait. It should therefore be maintained, he stated.
The national security advisor outlined America’s strategy toward China, which includes investing in U.S. strength, aligning and competing with allies, and in all areas of military, economic and technological power.
However, Mr. Sullivan stated that the strategy does not allow competition to “drift” or get into conflict or a new Cold War.
“This is how we approach things,” he stated. I believe we’ve achieved what we set out .”
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Information, the Administration is trying to discredit the Chinese propaganda narrative that China will inevitably surpass the United States in power and that the decline of the United States is certain.
” “It is never a good idea to place a bet against America,” said Mr. Sullivan.
China is, on the other hand, in financial trouble and failing to implement its zero-COVID policy, which is aimed at stemming disease outbreaks.
” “I believe there are real questions regarding [China’s] future trajectory and that is something both countries near and far from China have to consider,” he stated.
