US to boost troops 5-fold in Taiwan amid China menace

The US is reportedly set to increase the number of troops in Taiwan amid increasingly aggressive military posturing by China, Report informs referring to Taiwan News.

The Wall Street Journal on February 23 cited US officials as saying that 100 to 200 soldiers will be dispatched to Taiwan in the coming months. Approximately 39 troops and Department of Defense personnel are reportedly stationed in Taiwan as of September 22, 2022, according to the latest DMDC report.

Over the years, the number of US troops in Taiwan has fluctuated, but generally only numbered around a dozen or two.

For example, in the last report released during the Obama administration on December 31, 2016, the US had a total troop presence of 10, while under Trump, the number of soldiers from various branches of the military was 20.

Raising the number of soldiers to triple digits would represent the largest US troop presence in Taiwan in decades. The troops will reportedly be sent to expand training for Taiwanese soldiers.