Context: As the long-range, live-fire drills began with China’s Eastern Theatre Command firing several ballistic missiles, Taiwan is “preparing for war without seeking war” using the strategy of “porcupine doctrine”.

Current Event

• China has launched the aggressive and unprecedented military exercises near Taiwan in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

What is a Military Doctrine?

• Military doctrine is the expression of how military forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, battles, and engagements.

• It is a guide to action, rather than being hard and fast rules. Doctrine provides a common frame of reference across the military.

Why do need such a doctrine?

• It helps standardize operations, facilitating readiness by establishing common ways of accomplishing military tasks.

• It decides what you buy, produce, or prioritize, all of which flows from deciding your best fighting foot.

What is the ‘Porcupine Doctrine’?

• The “Porcupine doctrine” was proposed in 2008 by the US Naval War College research professor William S Murray.

• It was adopted by Taiwan in 2017 when Lee Hsi-Ming, then-chief of the Taiwanese military forces, referred to it as the "Overall Defence Concept" (ODC).

• It is a strategy of asymmetric warfare focused on fortifying a weak state’s defences to exploit the enemy’s weaknesses rather than taking on its strengths.

• Note: Asymmetric systems are the ones that are small, numerous, smart, stealthy, mobile and hard to be detected and countered, and are associated with innovative tactics and employments.

• This strategy is about building defences that would ensure that Taiwan could be attacked and damaged but not defeated, at least without unacceptably high costs and risks.

• Outer surveillance layer is about intelligence and reconnaissance to ensure defense forces are fully prepared.

• Behind this come plans for guerrilla warfare at sea with aerial support from sophisticated aircraft provided by the US.

• Innermost layer relies on the geography (mountainous topography) and demography (urbanised environment) of the island.

• This would give Taiwan an advantage during an invasion.

• The ultimate objective of this doctrine is that of surviving and assimilating an aerial offensive well enough to organise a wall of fire that will prevent the Chinese Army from successfully invading.