The Taiwanese military received 11 of the 13 MK15 Block 1B rapid-fire shipborne systems from the United States, Taiwan News reported on March 31.
The remaining two units will be delivered to the island before the end of the year. The Taiwanese military is using the warships’ repair period to install new weapons systems on them.
The MK15 Phalanx short-range defense systems for warships use rapid-fire 20mm cannons to fire anti-ship missiles if they can penetrate other air defense lines.
Eight more systems of the previous generation MK15 Block 1A were sent to the United States for overhaul. This work should be finished by the end of 2025.
Let us remember that with the worsening of the crisis in Ukraine, the Taiwanese authorities began to speak of a possible imminent Chinese attack on Taiwan. Special working groups were created to monitor the situation and warn in time about the preparation of the invasion, if it takes place. The Taiwanese military conducts exercises and implements training programs for reservists.
The US military insists that Taiwan base its defense strategy on the idea of an asymmetric response. The Chinese army can easily destroy expensive equipment if they invade the island and it won’t do much good. Going forward, the State Department will reject requests for Taiwan to purchase such weapons from the United States, The New York Times reported.
Taiwan is being asked to buy naval mines, anti-tank missiles, man-portable air defense systems and other weapons needed to mount an asymmetric response to an invasion.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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