Taiwan's deputy defense minister Po Horng-huei's recent assertion of Taiwan's 'absolute' air superiority over the Chinese Air Force in a conflict has been challenged by military experts. While not rejecting Po's remarks outright, experts have highlighted potential threats in Taiwan's overall defense picture. They noted that Taiwan's command of the air is not 'absolute' but 'partial,' and only exists within the airspace above its territorial waters. Experts emphasized the importance of Taiwan's robust and layered air defense system in countering potential threats. They agreed that Taiwan's better trained pilots could counter the numerical advantage of the Chinese Air Force, but cautioned that the ability gap between Taiwanese and Chinese pilots has been narrowing in recent years. They stressed the need for Taiwan to maintain the quality of its Air Force troops and address weaknesses in its joint air defense system [073ddecb].
The challenge to Taiwan's assertion of air superiority comes amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has been facing increased military activity from China, with the Chinese Air Force conducting frequent operations near Taiwan's airspace. The ability to maintain air superiority is crucial for Taiwan's defense strategy, as it allows them to effectively counter potential threats and protect their territorial integrity. However, experts have pointed out that Taiwan's air superiority is not without limitations and risks. They have called for continuous efforts to strengthen Taiwan's air defense capabilities and address any weaknesses in its defense system [073ddecb].
