Taiwan has unveiled an ambitious $40 billion defence spending plan aimed at bolstering its air defence capabilities in the face of escalating threats from China. Central to this initiative is the development of a sophisticated, multi-layered air defence system known as “T-Dome,” designed to protect the island from potential attacks by Chinese fighter jets, missiles, or drones.
The T-Dome system, announced by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on October 10, has been likened to Israel’s Iron Dome but with critical differences. While the Iron Dome primarily addresses short-range threats, the T-Dome is engineered to counter a broader spectrum of dangers, including aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, and drones. “This is aimed at PLA aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as, increasingly, drones,” explained Taipei-based security analyst J. Michael Cole, using the acronym for China’s People’s Liberation Army.
Taiwan already possesses several air defence systems, including the US-built Patriot and domestically-developed Sky Bow systems. Additionally, the island is awaiting the delivery of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System fire units from the United States. The T-Dome will integrate these existing systems with advanced radars, sensors, and other cutting-edge technology to enhance detection and interception capabilities. “If you do not integrate these detection devices, then those air-defence missiles, whether for counter-fire, counter-attack or counter-drone purposes, can’t achieve efficient interception or effective fire coordination and allocation,” said Defence Minister Wellington Koo.
The T-Dome system will comprise two main components: a command and control system and an interceptor layer. The command and control system will collect radar data, identify threats, decide on the appropriate interceptor, and coordinate all units to react within seconds. The interceptor layer will consist of various weapons designed to shoot down incoming threats at different altitudes. “The T-Dome will have a command and control system that collects radar data, identifies threats, decides which interceptor should fire, and coordinates all units so they react within seconds,” explained Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at Taipei’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research.
Taiwan’s push for a robust air defence system is driven by lessons learned from Ukraine, underscoring the importance of protecting combat forces, critical infrastructure, and civilian buildings. Despite significant military upgrades and billions of dollars spent on US arms over the past decade, Taiwan would be at a disadvantage in a conflict with China. The ability to neutralise a sudden Chinese missile strike is crucial for deterring Beijing from attacking. “Chinese warships routinely deployed near Taiwan are capable of firing hundreds of missiles at Taiwan’s airports, radar sites and military bases within three minutes,” Su said. “This is why Taiwan needs an integrated air defence system capable of responding to these emerging challenges.”
The timeline for the T-Dome’s completion depends on several factors, including the delivery of necessary weapons and technology from the United States. Taiwan is already awaiting billions of dollars’ worth of US arms, and the defence ministry has published a list of items it plans to procure with the new budget, including precision artillery, long-range precision-strike missiles, anti-ballistic and anti-armour missiles, and unmanned systems. President Lai has indicated that there will be “significant” US arms acquisitions, although the opposition-controlled parliament has not yet approved the budget.
President Lai has stated that Taiwan’s military aims to achieve a “high level” of joint combat readiness by 2027—a timeline previously cited by US officials as a potential window for a Chinese attack on the island—and “highly resilient and comprehensive deterrent defence capabilities by 2033.” However, completing the entire T-Dome architecture before 2027 is deemed impossible. “System integration and the production of new interceptors—missiles, anti-aircraft guns, and directed-energy weapons—will all take time,” Su noted.
Readiness also hinges on more than just deliveries. “It really comes down to how you define effectiveness, how you define readiness and what’s included in T-Dome,” said Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. “Are they counting war reserve munitions? Do they have enough missiles in storage? Are they distributed?” Additionally, the military must learn how to operate these advanced systems effectively.
As Taiwan navigates this critical period, the development of the T-Dome system represents a strategic effort to enhance the island’s defence capabilities and deter potential aggression. The success of this initiative will not only shape Taiwan’s security landscape but also influence the broader geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.