I posted this previously on lcd and r/neoliberal so I’ll post it here now.

Increase GDP Spending to 5% –

Non-negotiable. You need more money if you want to repel your much larger neighbour. They need to increase spending from the current 2% to 5%.

Get rid of big-ticket items –

Taiwanese procurement has been unbelievably stupid. They buy American weapons which are made with the strategic perspective in mind that they need long range power projecting capabilities which is the EXACT opposite of what Taiwan needs. This especially applies to the air force which has no chance of air superiority against the PRC. Also, these big-ticket items like the F-16 take way too much maintenance costs.

Air Defence –

Taiwan has a small land area and therefore air defences are effective and economical. Even if the air defences won’t shoot down Chinese planes, they will force them to fly lower and make them less effective. Make sure every single inch of Taiwanese territory is covered with SAM’s. Have limitless ammo. They should absolutely splurge on this.

Cellular decentralised command structure –

Since Taiwanese command nodes and communication will be severely hampered if not cut off entirely Taiwanese commanders and units need to be able to work independently off one another.

AShM and Mining –

Taiwan should spurge and lobby to get the best of what its allies like the US can offer. Taiwan needs to whittle down as many PRC troops crossing as possible. Everything that can be mined should be mined.

Urban warfare ATGM’s and Drones –

If Taiwan can’t stop Chinese forces from landing they should train for an insurgency and urban warfare. Train ground troops for insurgency and stock supplies everywhere in depots in cities. ATGM’s are very economical as are MANPAD’s. Taiwan should have the best ATGM’s in the world and plenty of them . Taiwanese troops and civilians need to have basic training on what to do. Make the urban warfare vicious.

Start building up a reserve of food and fuel –

The stats for how much Taiwan is reliant on trade for basic commodities is worrying. They need to start building up massive reserves in case of a blockade.