In rebuilding its defense capability, Taiwan first of all should implement the three major arms procurement policies that the KMT government proposed eight years ago.

The first priority should be the issue of importing Patriot III interceptors from the United States during the first four years of Ma Ying-jeou's administration. At the same time, Taiwan should get to work on procuring the new Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon block 52 fighters and eight submarines it has ordered from the United States.

If there is any room for bargaining, it would be best to replace the planned F-16s with McDonnell-Douglas -- now Boeing -- F-15 Eagles. Looking at procurements of combat aircraft by Japan, South Korea and Singapore, one can see the trend toward twin-engine heavy fighters as the dominant aerial combat platform. In addition, the need for anti-armored vehicle landing measures should be taken into consideration, and plans made for either the indigenous production or procurement of equipment including combat helicopters.

Another priority area is accelerating the research and development of indigenous advanced weapon systems and reinforcing effective deterrence measures. This could include the production of more cruise missiles, long-range air-to-ground precision strike weapons and ship-to-ship and ship-to-ground precision attack capabilities.

Taiwan also should invest in the research and development of ground-to-ground missiles with the maximum strike range allowed by international treaties, to be used as a political card when negotiating with the United States on arms procurement. Moreover, Taiwan must manufacture more multirole offshore patrol vehicles and advanced stealth-missile Swift boats.

At the same time, Taiwan needs to upgrade the fighters currently in service in its air force, especially its Israeli-supplied and F-16 fleets. These fighters should be capable of engaging in multiple combat missions or becoming multirole fighters.

As for the surface warships it has currently in service, Taiwan should follow the practice of Japan and employ Link 16 communications systems to integrate their combat capabilities with the ability to engage in information and electronic warfare. In particular, both the La Fayette and Perry class frigates have been in service in the Taiwanese navy for more than 10 years and are approaching the time for drastic upgrading.

Taiwan also should increase investment in its intelligence agencies. The budgets of Taipei's National Security Agency and the Military Intelligence Agency must be greatly increased if Taiwan wants to gain the upper hand in human intelligence in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's annual military spending of 3 percent of gross domestic product seems to be insufficient to achieve the goal of rejuvenating the military on all fronts and ensuring its national defense. To that end, an increased military budget is necessary.

(Andrei Chang is editor in chief of Kanwa Defense Review Monthly, registered in Toronto.)

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