Taiwan’s defense planners have repeatedly emphasized the need to prioritize asymmetric warfare. Missile defense systems are costly, technologically demanding and inherently vulnerable to saturation. Comparisons with other missile defense systems, either existing or planned, further underscore the problem. Japan’s missile defense system offers yet another cautionary case. Once exhausted, even the most advanced missile defense system becomes an expensive irrelevance.

Source: Taipei Times January 13, 2026 16:10 UTC