TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Michael Chase, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, voiced strong support for Taiwan's defense modernization efforts on Wednesday (Oct. 16). Speaking at the Global Taiwan Institute's annual seminar in Washington, D.C., Chase urged Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to allocate sufficient funding to bolster its self-defense capabilities.
According to CNA, Chase emphasized the importance of Taiwan's ability to deter, degrade, and delay potential aggression from China. He highlighted the need for Taiwan to acquire low-cost, mobile, resilient, and lethal asymmetric warfare capabilities, reflecting lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict.
Chase pointed out that the war in Ukraine has shown that societal resilience can counter major power aggressors and help form a stronger deterrence posture. Recent defense reforms in Taiwan, such as the establishment of the "Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee" (全社會防衛韌性委員會) and the extension of military service, exemplify Taiwan's commitment to enhancing its defense posture, according to Chase.
He also noted the prioritization of defense innovation by President Lai Ching-te's administration, which seeks to leverage commercial technology for rapid acquisition of asymmetric warfare capabilities.
As the U.S. plans to expedite Taiwan's acquisition of necessary military capabilities through existing channels, including direct commercial sales and foreign military sales, Chase noted the potential use of the Presidential Drawdown Authority and Foreign Military Financing to further support Taiwan's military modernization.
He expressed a desire for the Pentagon to work closely with Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) to ensure resources align with Taiwan's self-defense needs.
