Part 2/10:
Analysts emphasize that an invasion of Taiwan would rank among the most challenging military operations in recent history. The island’s terrain and well-developed defenses make a traditional amphibious assault extremely perilous. Taiwan’s military has prepared meticulously to defend the narrow, shallow beaches that would likely be designated landing zones, with artillery and missile systems poised to crater approaches and destroy incoming landing craft.
While seizing airfields could facilitate reinforcements, these runways are vulnerable to destruction—lessons learned painfully by Russia during its failed attempt to hold Hostomel Airport in Ukraine in 2022. Consequently, Beijing has sought alternative ways to bypass these vulnerabilities.