The US, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan are deploying increasingly powerful coastal defense systems along the First Island Chain, creating a “missile arc” aimed at deterring China’s aggression. From Japan’s upgraded Type-12 missiles covering the Miyako Strait, to the Philippines’ Indian-made BrahMos batteries guarding the Bashi Channel, and Taiwan’s growing concentration of Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles, these overlapping ranges could transform key maritime chokepoints into highly contested zones. It comes as Washington discusses stockpiling more weapon supplies in Taiwan, which could be accessed during an attempted blockade. In this episode, we examine how this emerging missile arc could affect China’s military operations, the implications for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, and what it means for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
