Taiwanese president calls Israel 'valuable model' for defense

Citing threats from China, Taipei City recently unveiled plans for a new air defense system said to be inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome  

News Desk  -  The Cradle 

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on 28 October that Israel serves as a model for the island to strengthen its defenses, invoking the biblical story of David and Goliath. 

“The Taiwanese people often look to the example of the Jewish people when facing challenges to our international standing and threats to our sovereignty from China. The people of Taiwan have never become discouraged,” the president said, according to a statement from his office. 

“Israel's determination and capacity to defend its territory provide a valuable model for Taiwan. I have always believed that Taiwan needs to channel the spirit of David against Goliath in standing up to authoritarian coercion,” he went on to say. 

The statement comes weeks after Taipei City unveiled plans to develop a new air defense system, the T-Dome, reportedly modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome. 

“The increase in defense spending has a purpose; it is a clear necessity to counter enemy threats and a driving force for developing our defense industries,” Ching-te said on 10 October. 

“We will accelerate our building of the T-Dome, establish a rigorous air defense system in Taiwan with multi-layered defense, high-level detection, and effective interception, and weave a safety net for Taiwan to protect the lives and property of citizens,” he added.

According to a source cited by Reuters at the time, the T-Dome is inspired by the Israeli Iron Dome. 

“We are hoping to build a more thorough air defense net with a higher interception rate,” the anonymous source said. 

In response to Ching-te’s unveiling of the air defense plans earlier this month, China accused Taiwan of "seeking independence by force,” adding that this would only result in conflict. 

"He peddles the separatist fallacy of Taiwan independence. This once again exposes his stubborn nature as a troublemaker, creator of danger, and a war-maker,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

Taiwan's air defenses are mainly based around the US Patriot system, as well as its locally developed Sky Bow missiles.

Last month, Taipei City showed off its newest air defense missile last month. Named the Chiang-Kong, it is designed to intercept mid-level ballistic missiles and reach airspace higher than the US Patriots.

According to a recent report by Intelligence Online, Taiwan’s deputy defense minister secretly visited Israel to seek help in developing the T-Dome. 

The outlet says Israel has been providing defense technology and expertise to Taiwan under the guise of civilian programs. 

Tel Aviv is reportedly assisting Taipei City with integrating elements of its Green Pine and Arrow systems in order to develop the Tian Gong-4 missile system, which will be part of the T-Dome network. 

This Israeli–Taiwanese cooperation has been greenlit by Washington, according to the report.