U.S. Diplomat in Retirement Rears Call for Taiwan's Military Expansion, Drawing Inspiration from Poland's Approach
Taiwan, Take a Page from Poland's Military Playbook
At the recent security conference in Taipei, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, suggested that Taiwan should mimic Poland's military development strategy to tackle the growing menace from China. In her speech on September 12, Craft emphasized the need for Taiwan to invest significantly in defense to deter China's escalating threat.
Craft drew parallels between Taiwan and Poland, referencing Poland's strengthening of military ties with the United States, which has propelled it into a military power. She highlighted that Poland is evolving into a military entity that no nation dares challenge. As such, Craft encouraged Taiwan to follow suit by deepening its defense relationship with the U.S.
Taiwan, according to Craft, currently spends around 2.4% of its GDP on defense. However, she opined that this figure ought to be increased given China's gigantic defense budget. By comparison, China will spend over $230 billion on defense by 2025, more than ten times Taiwan's projected $20 billion.
Craft's remarks came amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan. U.S. military officials, including Admiral John Aquilino, have warned that China could prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027. Under these circumstances, Craft argues that Taiwan cannot afford to delay "historic defense investments."
The situation in the Taiwan Strait has intensified as Chinese forces have conducted regular military drills around the island. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly maintained that Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. In response, Taiwanese officials have called for greater international support to deter any potential aggression from Beijing.
Craft's speech underscored that Taiwan's future security hinges on its readiness to invest in its own defense, much like Poland has done. She concluded her address by asserting that if Taiwan bolsters its military capabilities, the U.S. will continue to stand by its defense. "If you do your part," she said, "America will do its part."
This comparison between Taiwan and Poland reflects broader concerns in U.S. foreign policy, as allies are increasingly pressured to contribute more to their defense efforts, particularly in regions where U.S. military resources are stretched thin. As the military balance of power in Asia shifts, Taiwan faces increasing pressure to play a more proactive role in safeguarding its future.
Extra Info
Poland's current defense strategy revolves around full-scale modernization and NATO integration, driven by regional security threats and strategic partnerships with the United States. The core elements of Poland’s defense strategy include:
- Drone dominance: Launched the Unmanned Weapons Systems Component (BSU) in January 2025, integrating drones across all military domains (air, land, maritime). Deputy PM Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the importance of drones for future operations, stating, “There will be no safe Poland without an army of drones.”
- Heavy armor modernization: Acquired 366 M1A2 Abrams tanks, 180 K2 Black Panthers, and 212 K9 Thunder howitzers (2022–2024), phasing out Soviet-era systems.
- Air power upgrades: Retrofitting F-16s to F-16V standard with AESA radar and advanced munitions to counter Russian aerospace threats.
- Border fortifications: The $2.5 billion Eastern Shield (2024) establishes defensive lines along the Belarus/Russia borders, featuring sensors, barriers, and collaborative infrastructure with Baltic states.
Poland's transformation, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has seen the country nearly double its defense spending, aiming to allocate 4% of its GDP to military expenditures in 2024 and reaching 5% in the coming years. The country has also trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops at Polish facilities under EU missions, aligning their tactics and equipment with NATO standards.
Poland's strategy reflects a pivot from regional collaborator to frontline leader, leveraging U.S. partnerships and hard-power investments to counter Russian aggression while reshaping European security dynamics. However, high defense spending strains Poland's fiscal capacity, necessitating EU/U.S. aid, and balancing domestic production with foreign acquisitions risks supply-chain bottlenecks.
- Emulating Poland's military strategy, Taiwan should aim for drone dominance, integrating drones across all military domains to ensure future operational readiness, à la the Unmanned Weapons Systems Component (BSU) in Poland, launched in 2025.
- In accordance with Poland's strategy, Taiwan should target heavy armor modernization, acquiring advanced tanks, such as the M1A2 Abrams or K2 Black Panther, and artillery systems like the K9 Thunder, while phasing out Soviet-era systems.
- To counter aerospace threats, Taiwan should invest in air power upgrades, prioritizing the retrofitting of its fighter jets to advanced standards, similar to how Poland retrofitted its F-16s to the F-16V configuration with AESA radar and advanced munitions.
- Much like Poland's Eastern Shield border fortification system ($2.5 billion in 2024), Taiwan should establish defensive lines to safeguard its borders, featuring sensors, barriers, and collaborative infrastructure with neighboring countries.
- To better address war-and-conflicts and political challenges, Taiwan should dedicate a considerable portion of its GDP to defense spending, striving to reach the 4% mark in 2024, mirroring Poland's increasing military expenditures.
- In line with Poland's strategy of forging strategic partnerships with the United States, Taiwan should deepen its defense relationship, aiming to tap into war-and-conflicts-related general news and securing continued support in the face of growing threats.
