Taiwan Marines Deploy 'Wolf Pack Tactics' with Stinger, Javelin Missiles on Assault Boats

Taiwan's Marine Corps showcased a formidable new asymmetric warfare capability during a live-fire exercise, demonstrating what they call "wolf pack tactics." Four M109 special assault boats formed a tactical unit, speeding across the sea and demonstrating a potent combination of anti-air and anti-surface firepower.

In a notable first, the small boats were equipped with both man-portable Stinger missiles for air defense and Javelin missiles for anti-surface engagements. This innovative integration of advanced weaponry onto highly mobile platforms highlights Taiwan's adaptation of modern military strategies, particularly those promoted by the US military in the Indo-Pacific region.

The "wolf pack" formation saw each of the four boats assigned a specific role: anti-surface, anti-air, reconnaissance, and command. This coordinated approach transforms the assault boats, typically used for near-shore patrols, into versatile maritime strike units capable of reconnaissance, command, air defense, and anti-ship operations. The "fire-and-forget" nature of the Stinger and Javelin missiles allows the boats to quickly disengage and reposition after firing, significantly enhancing their survivability.

Military officials described the tactic as a "wolf pack raid" designed for coastal defense. The M109 boats, built with high-strength composite materials, are small and have a shallow draft, making them difficult to detect on radar. The strategy aims to counter enemy amphibious assaults by using the boats to launch drone reconnaissance, neutralize low-flying drones with Stingers, and disable enemy landing craft with Javelins, thereby disrupting invasion plans.

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This tactic is very clearly positioned to fight an asymmetric 'wolf pack raid' in coastal defense.