A Comparative Analysis of EMP Defensive Measures of the PRC, United States, and Taiwan

A Comparative Analysis of EMP Defensive Measures of the PRC, United States, and Taiwan Pak, Tin¹ Rainier Institute for Foreign Affairs The electromagnetic spectrum is emerging as a critical domain of warfare, where attacks using electromagnetic pulses (EMP) aim to jam, disable, or destroy electronics. As reliance on electronics grows in military forces globally, EMP threats pose exponentially significant risks to critical infrastructures. In response, the United States, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Taiwan are not only advancing their EMP weapon capabilities but are also investing heavily in hardening measures to protect vital networks and infrastructure from these threats. This article first analyzes the EMP weapon capabilities of these countries. It then examines the defensive measures they have taken to mitigate vulnerabilities and improve resilience in the face of potential EMP attacks. 1. PRC: The PRC fields two main types of EMP weapons: high-power microwave (HPM) devices and high-altitude EMPs (HEMPs). The PRC leads globally in HPM development, holding 90% of HPM-related patents, ¹ President & Co-founder of Rainier Institute for Foreign Affairs.