On Tuesday, Taiwan unveiled updated versions of its homegrown military drones, claiming that they are essential to its “asymmetric warfare” capability to make its forces more flexible if they come up against the much bigger Chinese military.
China has increased military activities close to the democratically run island to compel it to embrace Chinese sovereignty despite Taiwan’s protests. China has never renounced the use of force to seize control of Taiwan.
The conflict in Ukraine has given Taiwan’s military attempts to improve defense, including a push to create drones, additional urgency.
The military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) showcased its latest drone models, including the Albatross II surveillance drone and combat drones that use GPS satellites, in a rare demonstration of its drone capabilities.
Art Chang, the head of NCSIST, claimed that the conflict in Ukraine had brought drones to people’s notice. As a result, his organization partnered with Taiwanese businesses to form a “national team” to manufacture military drones.
The military of Taiwan has announced a collaboration with businesses to produce 3,000 drones in 2019.
The military should use drones more often, according to Chi Li-Pin, director of NCSIST’s Aviation Systems Research Division.
“I hope our national army can familiarize themselves with this weapon of asymmetric warfare and utilize them bravely,” he told reporters at an NCSIST facility in Taichung.
Tsai Ing-wen advocates “asymmetric warfare” to make Taiwan’s military more mobile and difficult to attack.
China’s military dwarfs Taiwan’s.
An assault drone with loitering weapons cruised toward a target before dropping and detonating.
Taiwan’s military ministry says Beijing has sent drones to test its responses.
Taiwan fired down a civilian drone that crossed its airspace near a Chinese islet last year.
Last week, the island’s defense minister reported to parliament that China was rapidly expanding its drone warfare capacity, including swarms of flying robots.
The government claimed Taiwan would develop combat, surveillance, and anti-drone capabilities in retaliation.
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