Taiwan’s security: Civilian control and external threat

Figures & data

Table 1. The evolving balance of airpower across the strait between 2000 and 2023

	China (PLAAF and PLAN)	Taiwan (ROCAF)
2000	4^th Generation Fighters: PLAAF 65 J-11 (Su-27), 40+ Su-30MKK. AWACS^1: 3 Y-8 (PLANAF) Aerial Refuelling (AR): 6 HY-6 (PLAAF)	4^th Generation Fighters: 128 F-CK-1, 58 Mirage-2000–5, 126 F-16A/B AWACS: 4 E-2T
2016	4^th Generation Fighters: PLAAF: 95 J-11, 75 Su-27, 73 Su-30MKK, 323 J-10A/B/S, 110 J-11B. PLANAF: 24 J-10A/S, 72 J-11B, 14 J-15 (Su-33), 24 Su-30MK2 AWACS^1: PLAAF: 10; PLANAF: 14. AR: PLAAF: 11, PLANAF: 3.	4^th Generation Fighters: 128 F-CK-1, 56 Mirage 2000–5, 145 F-16 A/B. AWACS: 6 E-2T
2023	5^th and 4^th Generation Fighters: PLAAF: 220 J-10A, 55 J-10B, 220 J-10C, 70 J-10S, 130 J-11B, 250 J-16, 140+ J-20A, 73 Su-30MKK, 24 SU-35, 12 J-16D PLANAF: 16 J-10A, 7 J-10S, 72 J-11B, 60 J-15, 24 Su-30MK2, AWACS^1: PLAAF: 4 KJ-200, 20 KJ-500, 4 KJ-2000; PLANAF: 6 KJ-200, 14+ KJ-500, 4 Y-8J. AR^2: PLAAF: 10 H-6 U, 3 Il-78, 3 Y-20 U; PLANAF: 5 H-6DU.	4th Generation Fighters: 77 F-16A/B, 54 Mirage 2000–5, 63 F-16 V, 127 F-CK-1C/D, AWACS: 6 E-2T^1^2

1.Aerial Warning and Command System

2.Aerial refuelling aircraft

Table 2. the evolving balance of naval power across the strait between 1996 and 2022

	China (PLAN)	Taiwan (ROCN)
2000	Submarines: Armed with ASCM & torpedo: 1 type-039, 1 type 35 G. Armed with torpedo: 2 Project 877, 3 Project 636, 17 type 035, 34 type-033. Major Surface Combatants: With Layered Air Defence^2: 1 project 956, Amphibious Ships: 18 LST; 42 LSM.	Submarines: Armed with torpedo: 2 Guppy II class, 2 Zwaardvis class Major Surface Combatants: With Layered Air Defence: 7 upgraded Gearing class, 7 Perry class. Amphibious Ships: LSD: 1 LSM: 4 LST: 12
2016	Submarines: Armed with ASCM & torpedo: 8 Project 636N, 27 type 039A/B/G, 3 type 091, 2 type 093 Armed with torpedo: 2 Project 877, 2 Project 636, 12 type 035. Major Surface Combatants: CV^3: With Layered Air Defence: 4 project 956 class, 2 type 052, 2 type 052B, 6 type 052C, 2 type 052D, 2 type 051C, 2 type 054, 20 type 054A Amphibious Ships: 3 LPD; 16 LST; 31 LSM.	Submarines: Armed with ASCM & torpedo: 2 Zwaardvis class Armed with torpedo: 2 Guppy II class Major Surface Combatants With Layered Air Defence: 4 Kidd class, 8 Perry class, 6 Knox class Amphibious Ships: 1 LSD; 12 LST.
2023	Submarines: Armed with ASCM and Torpedo: 6 type 093/A/B, 2 project 636, 8 project 636 M, 12 type 039 G, 4 type 039A, 16+ type 039B, Armed with Torpedo: 2 project 636, 4 Type 035B, Major Surface Combatants: CV: 1 type 001, 1 type 002 With Layered Air Defence: 7 type 055, 4 project 956, 1 type 051B, 2 type 052, 2 type 052A, 6 type 052B, 25 type 052D/DM, 2 type 051C, 2 type 054, 31 type 054A, Amphibious Ships: 3 LHD, 8 LPD, 28 LST, 21 LSM,	Submarines: Armed with ASCM & torpedo: 2 Zwaardvis class Armed with torpedo: 2 Guppy II class Major Surface Combatants: With Layered Air Defence: 4 Kidd class, 10 Perry class, 5 Knox class, Amphibious Ships: 1 LSD, 1 LPD, 6 LST.