Israel Quietly Assisting Taiwan in Developing “T-Dome” Missile Defense System Modeled After Iron Dome

In a development that has remained largely under the radar, Israel is quietly aiding Taiwan in the creation of its new “T-Dome” missile defense system, a project modeled on the success of Israel’s world-renowned Iron Dome. According to defense insiders, Taiwan’s Deputy Defense Minister Po Horng-huei secretly visited Israel in September 2025 to advance cooperation on the system, which aims to form the core of Taiwan’s multi-layered air defense architecture.

This partnership—though not officially acknowledged by either side—is believed to involve technology transfers and technical consultations on radar systems and interceptor designs similar to Israel’s EL/M-2084 “Green Pine” radar and Arrow-2 anti-ballistic missile system. Together, these technologies have long served as the backbone of Israel’s missile defense umbrella, protecting its cities from rocket and ballistic threats. Taiwan’s move to emulate this model underscores its urgent need to counter growing missile threats from mainland China.

The T-Dome Vision

President Lai Ching-te first mentioned the “T-Dome” concept during his National Day address in October 2025, describing it as an integrated, multi-layered defense shield designed to protect Taiwan against everything from drones and short-range rockets to ballistic missiles. The T-Dome aims to bring together radars, interceptors, and battle management systems under one unified command—an approach clearly inspired by the Israeli Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems.

While Taiwan already operates American-supplied Patriot PAC-3 batteries and domestically developed Tien Kung (Sky Bow) missiles, these are primarily geared toward medium- and high-altitude threats. What the island lacks is a short-range, high-intercept-rate system capable of engaging smaller, faster, or low-flying projectiles such as artillery shells, cruise missiles, and swarming drones—precisely the gap T-Dome is designed to fill.

Israeli Involvement: Quiet but Strategic

Reports indicate that Deputy Defense Minister Po Horng-huei’s September 2025 visit to Tel Aviv was focused on discussions with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems—the two firms behind Iron Dome and Arrow. The cooperation reportedly covers the following areas:

• Radar and Tracking Systems: Israel’s EL/M-2084 Multi-Mission Radar, used in both Iron Dome and David’s Sling, is central to early detection and precise targeting. Taiwan’s T-Dome is expected to feature a radar network with similar capabilities—able to track hundreds of targets within a range of 300 km and calculate impact points within seconds.

• Interceptor Technology: While Taiwan will likely develop its own missile, it may adopt a design philosophy similar to Israel’s Tamir interceptor—a compact, agile missile with an active radar seeker and a fragmentation warhead. This would allow cost-effective engagements against dense salvos of short-range projectiles.

• Command and Control Systems: Israel’s battle management software, capable of determining which incoming projectiles pose actual danger, is one of Iron Dome’s most innovative features. Taiwan’s defense industries, led by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), are believed to be working closely with Israeli engineers to develop a comparable system that integrates with Patriot and Sky Bow networks.

• High-Altitude Layer Consultation: Some reports suggest Israel has shared technical frameworks resembling its Arrow-2 system, which intercepts ballistic missiles at altitudes exceeding 50 km and speeds approaching Mach 9. Such technology would greatly enhance Taiwan’s upper-tier defense capabilities if co-developed under proper export restrictions.

Expected T-Dome Specifications (Preliminary Estimates)

While official specifications remain classified, defense sources suggest the following configuration for Taiwan’s T-Dome system:

• Radar Range: Up to 300 km (multi-target tracking and interception guidance).

• Interceptor Range: 5–70 km for the short-range layer; integration with Patriot and Sky Bow for extended coverage.

• Reaction Time: Within 10 seconds from detection to launch.

• Intercept Speed: Up to Mach 7 for short-range interceptors, Mach 9 for potential long-range ballistic interceptors.

• Kill Probability: Over 85% in optimal engagement conditions.

• Network Integration: Unified command platform combining Taiwan’s existing air defense assets into a single “sensor-to-shooter” network.

This multi-layered approach would give Taiwan the ability to detect, discriminate, and intercept simultaneous threats, ranging from drones and rockets to ballistic missiles—a capability increasingly vital amid China’s expanding missile arsenal and recent large-scale military exercises simulating blockades and bombardments.

Strategic and Geopolitical Implications

The Taiwan–Israel cooperation carries significant geopolitical sensitivity. Israel has long avoided overt defense cooperation with Taiwan to preserve its relationship with China, a major trading partner. The discreet nature of the September visit and lack of formal announcements suggest a quiet, government-to-government understanding, possibly facilitated through defense intermediaries.

Furthermore, the involvement of systems such as Arrow-2, co-developed with the United States, introduces complex export control and diplomatic hurdles. Any transfer of related technologies would likely require U.S. approval, especially given Washington’s strong interest in bolstering Taiwan’s missile defense capabilities without escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

If fully realized, the T-Dome system could be a game-changer for Taiwan’s defense strategy. It would not only boost deterrence but also signal a deeper alignment between Israel, the United States, and Taiwan in the field of advanced defense technologies—a subtle but powerful shift in global defense partnerships.

The development of Taiwan’s T-Dome missile defense system, with quiet assistance from Israel, represents a significant leap forward in Taipei’s ability to defend against modern aerial and missile threats. Modeled after the Iron Dome’s battle-proven design, the T-Dome will integrate layers of interceptors, radars, and command systems to provide comprehensive coverage against multi-vector attacks.

Although cloaked in secrecy, the cooperation highlights a convergence of strategic interests between two democracies facing constant missile threats. For Israel, it is a testament to the global appeal of its defense technology; for Taiwan, it could become the shield that defines its survival in an increasingly contested region.