US & Japan Strengthen Base Defenses Against Chinese Missile Attack

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

Pacific-focused wargaming has consistently found that any attempted Chinese “annexation” or “take-over” of Taiwan would likely begin with a massive salvo of incoming ballistic missiles intended to destroy air defenses, degrade assets and essentially “soften” island defenses in advance of a larger attack. 

How effective might this be? China is certainly known to operate a massive arsenal of ballistic missiles and the island of Taiwan is only 100 miles from mainland China, well within range of many missiles. In a tactical sense, the intent would likely be to overwhelm air defenses, radar and surveillance systems with a massive incoming “wave” of attacking missiles.  

While there are many defensive techniques, weapons and countermeasures in place to withstand a large-scale Chinese ballistic missile attack, a significant new research essay from the China Aerospace Studies Institute at Air University found that US and allied bases throughout the Pacific are in fact quite vulnerable to Chinese missile attacks. 

“U.S. Air Force bases are vulnerable to PLA long-range missiles, drones, and hypersonics, especially in Japan,”  the CASI essay, called  Charting the Course: How the PLA’s Regional and Global Strategies Should Influence the US Air Force’s Lines of Effort,”  states, adding “The PLA’s ability to conduct strikes on bases inside the first and second island chain cannot be overstated.”