Taiwan Considering Sending Mine Warfare Ships to Support U.S. Offensives Against Iran

Republic of China legislator from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Wang Ting-yu on April 13 questioned the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee on the issue of provision of support for the U.S.-led war effort against Iran. Observing that that U.S. President Donald Trump had lamented about the reluctance of Washington’s strategic partners to assist in deploying forces to the Persian Gulf, he noted that it could be appropriate for Taipei to express its willingness to support the U.S. in minesweeping and mine clearing operations. Although National Security Bureau Director Tsai Ming-yen stated  this was a a hypothetical question, Deputy Minister of National Defence Hsu Szu-chien stated that this option would be considered. “It's very creative; we hadn't thought of it before. We'll take it back for evaluation,” he commented.

The Republic of China based on Taipei, and controlling Taiwan Island, is currently in a state of war with the internationally recognised People’s Republic of China government based in Beijing. The Democratic Progressive Party founded in 1986, and first gaining power in 2000, has received strong backing from countries across the Western world, and when in office has worked to downgrade ties with the Chinese mainland while very closely aligning itself with Western Bloc states. Under the Party’s leadership, Taipei has increasingly involved itself in conflicts in the Middle East, including becoming the only government in the world to finance the construction of illegal Israeli settlements. A willingness to send ships to support the war effort against Iran would be closed in line with the broader foreign policy orientation of the DPP. 

Regarding the possibility of providing naval support, Wang Ting-yu stated that the Republic of China Navy’s minesweeping vessels are all small, and that larger ships might be needed to transport them. The key question, however, was whether it would be suitable for Taipei to express a willingness to support the U.S.-led war effort. Hsu Szu-chien said that Wang's suggestion was innovative, but noted that logistical support and maintenance had to be taken into account. Furthermore, as the National Security Bureau stated, the combat readiness burden around the Taiwan Strait remained heavy, with the dispatch of naval assets for faraway operations further increasing pressure on remaining assets. The Republic of China Armed Forces have notably deployed personnel to the Middle East in the past, most notably F-5 fighter pilots and ground crews to support Western-backed North Yemen in its war effort with the Soviet-aligned south.

Wang Ting-yu asked Navy Chief of Staff Chu Hui-min whether the Navy’s current mine-clearing capabilities were sufficient. Chu replied, "We're continuing to work on it," to which Wang immediately commented, "It's just not enough!" The Republic of China Navy currently has only four Yung-Feng class and two Yung-Ching class minesweepers in active service, with the production of new Ching-Fu class minesweepers currently planned. Local analysts have warned that the potential destruction of mine warfare assets in the Gulf region would threaten to leave the Republic of China Navy with little to no remaining mine warfare capability.