Taiwan should proactively ask to join U.S. military exercises: Expert

Taipei, March 25 (CNA) Taiwan should proactively ask to participate in military exercises with the United States to strengthen joint deterrence and develop synergy between their forces, a former Pentagon official said Tuesday.

"Taiwan should figure out ways to get something for itself on some issues, because the U.S. will not take action," said Tony Hu (胡振東) at a panel held by the Prospect Foundation, a Taipei-based think tank.

They were discussing the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) released by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) last week.

Hu, who served as the first senior country director for Taiwan at the Pentagon, said Taiwan should ask to be an observer at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise next year and strive toward becoming a full participant in 2028.

In the past, countries that participated in RIMPAC had concerns about Taiwan's participation, but he believed that Taiwan now has a better chance at participating as the international climate has changed, Hu contended.

"I hope Taiwan has already gotten in touch with the Pentagon and the Department of State to seek approval, and that it will gain the support of the (U.S.) Info-Pacific Command," Hu said.

Another opportunity, Hu said, would be whenever a U.S. Navy vessel transits the Taiwan Strait to provide Taiwan's Navy with a great opportunity to engage in passing exercises, or "PASSEXes," with the American vessel, to test their data links and familiarize themselves with radio communication.

Through such joint exercises, the two sides could also establish a common operating picture, which would be crucial for data sharing on the battlefield, and define their roles and missions to develop synergy, he said.

The QDR included a section dedicated to the MND's plans on deepening military cooperation with the U.S., which it called an "important strategic partner" of Taiwan.

Regarding calls from U.S. officials and a recent pledge by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) for Taiwan to increase its defense budget, Hu supported the idea, saying the "cost of building a strong defense is but a small fraction of the cost of war, which would be an astronomical figure."

Following a high-level national security meeting on Feb. 14, Lai pledged to raise the defense budget from around 2.45 percent to at least 3 percent of the country's GDP.

But U.S. Under Secretary of Defense nominee Elbridge Colby said at a Senate hearing this month that Taiwan needed to raise its defense spending to around 10 percent.

Prospect Foundation President Lai I-chung (賴怡忠), who moderated the panel, questioned the percentages being floated on how much more Taiwan should spend on its defense, which he said were little more than "political statements."

"What the U.S. wants is reassurance from Taiwan that it takes its defense seriously by increasing its defense spending," he said.

Lai I-chung argued that GDP is not a suitable metric for measuring Taiwan's commitment to its defense, as the country's general budget makes up only about 15 percent of its GDP, whereas the U.S.' federal budget accounts for around 25 percent of its GDP.

Therefore, if Taiwan spent 5 percent of its GDP on defense, or one-third of its general budget, it would seriously crowd out funds for other government functions, he said.