Former White House Official: Taiwan Should Build Indigenous Defense Industrial Base, Not Rely Solely on Large Arms Purchases
Former White House Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger suggested that Taiwan should build an iterative and innovative defense industrial base and rapidly update and adjust defense technology, rather than solely relying on large-scale arms purchases, to enhance its deterrence capabilities.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 16:28
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 16:32 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 17:42 (1h 10m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 8th) Former US White House Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger stated today that deterrence means possessing defensive capabilities and demonstrating the resolve for self-defense. Taiwan should build an iterative and innovative defense industrial base, rapidly updating and adjusting defense technology, rather than solely relying on large-scale arms purchases.
The 4th International Forum of the Asia-Pacific Resilience Foundation held a fireside chat session on "Asia-Pacific Resilience Amidst Ukraine and Iran Conflicts," moderated by Michael Wills, President of the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), a US think tank. Speakers included Matt Pottinger, former US Ambassador to Poland, and Stephen Mull, former lead coordinator for the US-Iran nuclear deal.
Mull pointed out that President Trump's policies after taking office served as a wake-up call for Europe, reminding them that it was time to take defense more seriously and defend their surrounding regions. Ukraine, despite being attacked by Russia for over 12 years, has survived to this day, which is remarkable, and has produced various drones that redefine the future of warfare.
Pottinger stated that although Trump believed in regime change in Iran, historically, it is impossible to achieve this solely through air power; it would require hundreds of thousands of ground troops, but there is currently no domestic willingness in the US for this. Meanwhile, European defense spending has reached its highest point since the Cold War, Japan's defense spending has doubled, and Taiwan's legislature is also discussing how much defense spending should be increased.
Pottinger noted that through his interactions with various sectors and political parties in Taiwan, he found that although sometimes not openly expressed, Taiwanese people realize they must take defense more seriously to gain an advantage in dealing with Beijing. He is optimistic that the Taiwanese people cherish freedom and the prosperity brought by democracy.
Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Mull predicted a potential dual blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran would blockade the strait and the US would blockade Iran, turning into a test of who can endure more pain. US intelligence estimates that Iran can last at least another three months.
As for China's attitude, Pottinger believes that Beijing might be uneasy about a prolonged war because it would severely impact China's economy, but Beijing also hopes to use it to weaken US prestige and power. He believes this war will last a long time.
Pottinger pointed out that Ukrainian unmanned boats sank Russian warships in the Black Sea, and the US military, wary of asymmetric weapons, has only passed through the Strait of Hormuz a few times in the past 10 weeks. If the navies of two superpowers can be constrained, these cases can give Taiwan some confidence, because new technologies are advantageous to the defender.
Pottinger said this is good news for Taiwan, provided that Taiwan spends money to take action, inviting experts from Ukraine and other countries to Taiwan to demonstrate how to manufacture drones and missiles. The US is not a major player in this field; the real superpower is Ukraine, which can produce 12 million drones annually, while the US produces only 300,000 military and commercial drones annually.
Based on the experiences of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran conflict, Pottinger pointed out that Taiwan must understand the importance of offensive strike capabilities. Arab countries attacked by Iran relied on offensive strikes from Israel and the US to deter Iran's missile and drone threats, rather than solely relying on missile interception and defensive weapons.
Pottinger pointed out that Taiwan should be a porcupine, with sharp quills and long arms. Deterrence means possessing defensive capabilities and demonstrating the resolve for self-defense. He has no objection to Taiwanese politicians discussing communication with China, but it must come from a position of strength, which also means Taiwan should build an iterative and innovative defense industrial base, rapidly updating and adjusting defense technology. Ukraine adjusts its drone and anti-drone technology every few weeks, but Taiwan is still discussing the content of arms purchases.
Pottinger believes that Taiwan should emulate Ukraine's existing defense technology ecosystem to rapidly adjust defense technology, rather than solely relying on large arms purchases years down the line. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 2026/05/08
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(Central News Agency reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 8th) Former US White House Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger stated today that deterrence means possessing defensive capabilities and demonstrating the resolve for self-defense. Taiwan should build an iterative and innovative defense industrial base, rapidly updating and adjusting defense technology, rather than solely relying on large-scale arms purchases.
The 4th International Forum of the Asia-Pacific Resilience Foundation held a fireside chat session on "Asia-Pacific Resilience Amidst Ukraine and Iran Conflicts," moderated by Michael Wills, President of the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), a US think tank. Speakers included Matt Pottinger, former US Ambassador to Poland, and Stephen Mull, former lead coordinator for the US-Iran nuclear deal.
Mull pointed out that President Trump's policies after taking office served as a wake-up call for Europe, reminding them that it was time to take defense more seriously and defend their surrounding regions. Ukraine, despite being attacked by Russia for over 12 years, has survived to this day, which is remarkable, and has produced various drones that redefine the future of warfare.
Pottinger stated that although Trump believed in regime change in Iran, historically, it is impossible to achieve this solely through air power; it would require hundreds of thousands of ground troops, but there is currently no domestic willingness in the US for this. Meanwhile, European defense spending has reached its highest point since the Cold War, Japan's defense spending has doubled, and Taiwan's legislature is also discussing how much defense spending should be increased.
Pottinger noted that through his interactions with various sectors and political parties in Taiwan, he found that although sometimes not openly expressed, Taiwanese people realize they must take defense more seriously to gain an advantage in dealing with Beijing. He is optimistic that the Taiwanese people cherish freedom and the prosperity brought by democracy.
Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Mull predicted a potential dual blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran would blockade the strait and the US would blockade Iran, turning into a test of who can endure more pain. US intelligence estimates that Iran can last at least another three months.
As for China's attitude, Pottinger believes that Beijing might be uneasy about a prolonged war because it would severely impact China's economy, but Beijing also hopes to use it to weaken US prestige and power. He believes this war will last a long time.
Pottinger pointed out that Ukrainian unmanned boats sank Russian warships in the Black Sea, and the US military, wary of asymmetric weapons, has only passed through the Strait of Hormuz a few times in the past 10 weeks. If the navies of two superpowers can be constrained, these cases can give Taiwan some confidence, because new technologies are advantageous to the defender.
Pottinger said this is good news for Taiwan, provided that Taiwan spends money to take action, inviting experts from Ukraine and other countries to Taiwan to demonstrate how to manufacture drones and missiles. The US is not a major player in this field; the real superpower is Ukraine, which can produce 12 million drones annually, while the US produces only 300,000 military and commercial drones annually.
Based on the experiences of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran conflict, Pottinger pointed out that Taiwan must understand the importance of offensive strike capabilities. Arab countries attacked by Iran relied on offensive strikes from Israel and the US to deter Iran's missile and drone threats, rather than solely relying on missile interception and defensive weapons.
Pottinger pointed out that Taiwan should be a porcupine, with sharp quills and long arms. Deterrence means possessing defensive capabilities and demonstrating the resolve for self-defense. He has no objection to Taiwanese politicians discussing communication with China, but it must come from a position of strength, which also means Taiwan should build an iterative and innovative defense industrial base, rapidly updating and adjusting defense technology. Ukraine adjusts its drone and anti-drone technology every few weeks, but Taiwan is still discussing the content of arms purchases.
Pottinger believes that Taiwan should emulate Ukraine's existing defense technology ecosystem to rapidly adjust defense technology, rather than solely relying on large arms purchases years down the line. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 2026/05/08
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.