Last year, the Taiwan authorities planned to import 14 sets of "Volcano" anti-tank mine-laying systems from the United States, which are expected to be delivered by 2029 at the latest. However, the latest news shows that this delivery plan has been significantly advanced to the end of this year. The system, which uses mechanized mines instead of manpower, is designed to allow Taiwan to be more fully mined to defend itself against attacks, and the United States plans to do more so to Taiwan. This large-scale purchase of "landmines" has aroused dissatisfaction among the people on the island.
On the other hand, the latest wave of military aid includes 80,000 sets of US military active-duty individual equipment and 1,000 M240B machine guns and other equipment for "urban warfare". Taiwan ** expressed dissatisfaction with this, believing that these equipment no longer meet the needs of modern warfare, in short, it is encouraging civilians to "give their lives". The US military refused to provide so-called "scientific and technological products", and although Taiwan's repeated requests were unsuccessful, the United States either did not approve it or directly shirked its responsibility on the grounds that it "has no inventory."
According to Taiwan media reports, the United States will once again carry out arms sales to Taiwan, with an estimated total of 300 million US dollars, aimed at strengthening Taiwan's "self-defense capability." The arms sale includes previously procured multi-purpose MIDS-LVT terminals and Joint Tactical Intelligence Distribution System (JTIDS) equipment, as well as spare and repair parts, technical assistance and logistics. Taiwan media said that this batch of ** is different from the previous "meat shield equipment" and has a certain level of science and technology.
Analysts pointed out that what Taiwan announced was only a part of it, and the remaining "large number" may still be the previous infantry**, mines**, etc. If the United States had provided other types of scientific and technological equipment, it would have been made public long ago, because the Pentagon's strategy is to let the Taiwan military engage in street fighting and a war of attrition as much as possible through "open cards."
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Esper said during his visit to Taiwan that he supports Taiwan in expanding the scope of military participation, extending the period of military service, and covering everyone in a wider range. Taiwanese netizens criticized the *** authorities in the Taiwanese media message area, accusing them of trying to turn Taiwan into a real battlefield, following the Ukrainian model and sacrificing human lives as a means instead of thinking about how to maintain peace.
They pointed out that the authorities have chosen to import armaments and move in the direction of war, saying that the United States sees Taiwan as an ATM. During his visit to Taiwan, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin advocated that young Taiwanese should emulate Japan's "jade crushing" tactics during World War II and encouraged civilians to carry guns. Some commentators believe that Taiwan's security depends on its peaceful development, and it is unreliable to rely on a small number of US systems.