Explained: What is Taiwan’s ‘porcupine strategy’ to protect itself if China attacks?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What is Taiwan’s ‘porcupine strategy’ to protect itself if China attacks” published in Indian Express on 8th August 2022.

What is the News?

China has launched aggressive and unprecedented military exercises near Taiwan in response to the US House Speaker’s visit to the island that China claims as part of its territory.

In response, Taiwan has said that it is adopting a porcupine strategy to fight back in case China attempts to occupy it by force.

What is a Porcupine Strategy?

The “porcupine doctrine” was proposed in 2008 by US Naval War College research professor William S Murray.

It is a strategy of asymmetric warfare focused on fortifying a weak state’s defences to exploit the enemy’s weaknesses rather than taking on its strengths.

It is about building defences that would ensure that Taiwan could be attacked and damaged but not defeated, at least without unacceptably high costs and risks.

What are the three defensive layers in porcupine strategy?

The outer layer is about intelligence and reconnaissance to ensure defence forces are fully prepared.

Behind this come plans for guerrilla warfare at sea with aerial support from sophisticated aircraft provided by the US.

The innermost layer relies on the geography and demography of the island.

What is the need for such a strategy?

China enjoys overwhelming military superiority over Taiwan. Over the past decade, China has developed far more accurate and precise weapon systems to target Taiwan and has been vocal about its intention to “reunite” the island with the mainland, by force or coercion if needed.