What clues might China and Taiwan take from the Ukraine war? (Opinion)
Assets like aircraft carriers give the PLA broader options to hit Taiwan from any direction.
Many were taken by surprise by President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. However, on the other side of the world, another authoritarian state has had its eyes focused on a neighbouring sovereign nation, its military busy making preparations for a potential attack.
That country is China, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been modernising at a ferocious pace so that it has all the necessary tools at its disposal to ‘solve the Taiwan issue’ once and for all.
Russia’s invasion showed the world that authoritarian leaders do not always act logically. And few countries are more
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.
-
UK’s latest defence robotics and autonomy competition looks to break new ground
The UK Ministry of Defence is backing early-stage, high-risk autonomy concepts that could redefine how military systems are developed and deployed.
-
How AI is reshaping defence procurement through sustainment
Artificial intelligence is not just changing how defence equipment is maintained but how defence programmes are won, creating new opportunities for industry by influencing acquisition decisions and shaping competition.