Lai pledges to build 'T-Dome' air defense system in National Day address

Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) pledged Friday to strengthen Taiwan's air defense capabilities and build a "T-Dome" system to create a safety net for the nation amid growing military threats from China.

"We will accelerate our building of the T-Dome, establish a rigorous air defense system in Taiwan with multi-layered defense, high-level detection, and effective interception, and weave a safety net for Taiwan to protect the lives and property of citizens," he said in his National Day address.

In his keynote address marking the 114th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the president said the lessons of World War II have taught nations worldwide "to ensure that the tragedies of history are never repeated."

"The outcomes of that conflict tell us that aggression fails, unity prevails, and that peace is won through strength," he said.

Lai reiterated his administration's pledge to increase Taiwan's defense spending to 3 percent of GDP next year and 5 percent by 2030, saying that the T-Dome system is among its key objectives.

He added that Taiwan will integrate "high-tech and AI technologies" to develop a "smart defense combat system," invest in innovative defense research, and collaborate with the defense industries of advanced nations to boost domestic capabilities.

Lai did not elaborate on details of the "T-Dome" system.

According to a Reuters report published late Thursday ahead of Lai's address, the T-Dome -- or Taiwan Dome -- aims to counter increasingly complex threats, including drones, rockets, missiles and military aircraft.

Citing multiple unnamed sources, Reuters said the system is modeled after Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defense network. Plans for the system are currently being drafted, with "initial integration" expected to begin soon, one source said.