• By Chen Cheng-liang and William Hetherington / Staff writers

A former member of the US Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), formerly known as SEAL Team 6, said in an interview with Business Insider that the elite unit’s role in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would be more limited than some might expect.

The report follows an earlier report in September by the Financial Times, which said the “secret US Navy commando unit” has been training for missions to help Taiwan if it is invaded by China.

“You don’t use a scalpel for a job that a hammer can do,” the former Navy Seal told Business Insider on condition of anonymity.

Photo: RITCHIE B. TONGO, EPA-EFE

“DEVGRU would definitely play a role in a wider conflict with China, (but it) would likely go after strategic targets to enable the large navy and wider conventional military in its tasks,” he added.

Beijing has repeatedly stated that it does not rule out using force to unite with Taiwan, causing concern in Washington, the Business Insider report said, adding that the US military has been conducting war games and planning a military response to such an event.

That response would likely include some role for DEVGRU, just as the U.S. military’s other operations have done in recent years, but that role would be a supporting role, assisting other U.S. forces by conducting precision operations, it said.

“People don’t understand what level one units are all about. They’re not meant to go after every mission available, especially if another SOF (special operations) unit is better suited for that,” the former Navy SEAL said.

A large-scale invasion of Taiwan would mainly involve conventional warfare by the U.S. Navy and Air Force, while DEVGRU would be sent to take out “strategic targets such as airbases, ports, and anti-access, airway (A2/AD) installations, which are designed to take out US carrier groups or deter flight operations,” he said.

Meanwhile, a unit such as the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment would be more useful in fighting back against Chinese invasion forces on Taiwanese soil, the report said.