Taiwan Increases Military Drone Capabilities to Match China's Drone Capability

Defense News Taiwan :-  The Taiwanese military is gearing up to strengthen its combat drone capabilities as a crucial part of its defense strategy. However, experts caution that Taiwan needs to act swiftly, considering its mainland counterpart's significant lead in utilizing this technology.

The defense ministry of the island recently unveiled its plans, which entail a blend of domestically produced and US-manufactured devices, along with the establishment of a new training center for operators. These plans were presented to Taiwan's lawmakers.

The ministry aims to procure approximately 3,225 micro and small military drones from local suppliers by 2025, in addition to acquiring 96 mid-sized surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by 2028, amounting to a total expenditure of NT$6.6 billion (US$206 million).

According to the report, prototypes of 35 drones have already undergone testing and are poised for mass production. Moreover, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, backed by government funding, is tasked with developing eight types of surveillance and attack UAVs, including the Type-2 suicide drone.

The Type-2 drone, tentatively named the Loitering Missile II, draws inspiration from the US-made Switchblade 300, noted for its effectiveness in combat situations such as destroying Russian tanks and ground targets during the conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, Taiwan has placed orders for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the United States.

Despite Taiwan's efforts, many nations, including the US, do not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent state. Beijing remains steadfast in its objective to bring the island under its control, viewing any steps towards independence as crossing a "red line." In contrast, the US, Taiwan's primary arms supplier, opposes any attempt by Beijing to alter the existing status quo through force.

Drone warfare has proven its effectiveness in various conflicts worldwide, prompting Taiwan to develop its capabilities in anticipation of evolving warfare patterns and escalating threats from Beijing.

The US$467 million deal encompasses the acquisition of two ground control systems, spare parts, and support equipment, with the US slated to deliver the initial two MQ-9Bs in 2026, followed by two more in 2027.

The US State Department has emphasized that the MQ-9Bs will equip Taiwan with essential capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, as well as counter-land, counter-sea, and anti-submarine strike operations.

As outlined in the ministry's report, the military plans to deploy MQ-9Bs and other drones across all branches of its armed forces for joint operations and various missions, ranging from tactical to combat operations.

During a legislative session, Taiwanese Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng affirmed that there were no plans to establish an independent UAV force. Instead, the decision was made to have different branches operate the drones according to their designated missions, deeming it more effective.

To address the shortage of qualified personnel, which currently stands at 210, the ministry aims to enhance training for drone operators. A dedicated training center will be established to impart operational and combat skills, along with strategies for managing combat scenarios and enemy threats.

Starting next month, civilian agencies will be contracted to train 320 drone operators for recruitment into the military. These recruits will then serve as instructors to educate soldiers across various branches on operating small-sized drones.

When questioned about the adequacy of 320 seed coaches to train sufficient operators, Minister Chiu reiterated the aim to align the number of operators with that of the devices.

Furthermore, ministry officials highlighted plans to learn from Ukraine's experiences by incorporating uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for potential sea battles with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Ukrainian forces have effectively utilized USVs to neutralize several vessels from the larger Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Observers stress the urgency for Taiwan to expedite its military drone capabilities, considering their significance in the island's asymmetric warfare strategy against potential PLA threats.

Max Lo, executive director of the Taiwan International Strategic Study Society, emphasized the need for close collaboration between the military and civilian sectors to scale up production capacity to meet the island's drone requirements.

Chen Kuo-ming, a military expert and editor of Defense International magazine, acknowledged Taiwan's nascent stage in developing USVs compared to mainland China's advanced research and production capabilities in unmanned maritime vehicles.

With the aim of commencing mass production by 2026, the Chung-Shan Institute has allocated NT$810 million (US$25 million) for developing attack-type remote-control unmanned vessels.

Shu Hsiao-huang, a senior analyst at the Institute for National Defence and Security Research, stressed the importance of aligning product development with combat requirements and ensuring an adequate pool of qualified operators. Shu suggested integrating drone operation into conscript and reservist training to capitalize on individuals with prior UAV experience.

Taiwan's endeavors to bolster its military drone capabilities reflect the evolving landscape of modern warfare and the imperative to adapt to emerging threats, particularly in the context of tensions with mainland China. Swift action and collaborative efforts across sectors are deemed essential to enhance Taiwan's defense posture and readiness for potential conflicts.