Q&A · 1:18:56-1:20:37

Surviving coastal batteries could punish the invasion crossing

China would target Taiwan's coastal missiles and guns immediately, but any batteries that survive the opening strikes remain a serious threat to assault shipping.

Question

Could Taiwanese coastal missiles and gun batteries prevent Chinese forces from crossing the strait?

Short answer

They would be heavily targeted at the outset, but every battery that survives would pose a major danger to the invasion fleet.

Notes

China's opening missile, air, ground, and naval attacks would target Taiwan's coastal defenses. Surviving missile and gun batteries would remain dangerous to the invasion crossing. Concealment would have to contend with extensive satellite and human-intelligence observation. Mobile units are one way Taiwan seeks to reduce that exposure, although the exchange gives no estimate of how many batteries would survive.