Taiwan boosts air defense with integrated "Shield of Taiwan" initiative

Taiwan, already a "missile island" with high air defense missile density, is accelerating its "Shield of Taiwan" initiative to integrate existing systems. The "Shield of Taiwan" aims to create a networked air defense by integrating sensors and shooters, allowing different missile systems to engage targets. This enhances layered interception from low to high altitudes and improves target identification. Despite advanced radar and multiple missile systems, integration challenges and insufficient low-altitude defense persist. The high cost of intercepting cheap drones also poses a threat, prompting a significant defense budget increase for modernization and asymmetric warfare capabilities.