Defense News

India

Taiwanese soldiers stationed on Erdan island, part of the Kinmen Island chain, have been placed on heightened alert following provocations by Chinese civilian drones. The island, situated just five kilometers off the Chinese coast, faces ongoing military pressure from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory.

The Taiwan military has reported increased activity of Chinese civilian drones surveilling and harassing its troops. In response, soldiers on Erdan island have been instructed to increase vigilance in surveillance. Additionally, the Kinmen Defence Command announced plans to enhance drone training for soldiers, including appropriate countermeasures against potential threats.

Recent incidents include the posting of a video on YouTube allegedly showing drone footage of Taiwanese soldiers and military facilities on Erdan island. The caption accompanying the video claimed that Taiwanese soldiers were "scared away by a Chinese drone."

This isn't the first time Taiwanese soldiers have encountered such drones. In 2022, soldiers on Kinmen Island shot down an unidentified civilian drone following a visit to Taipei by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

These incidents reflect a broader pattern of "grey zone" actions, tactics that fall short of outright acts of war, which have intensified since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Tensions have further escalated since January, following the election of Tsai's deputy, Lai Ching-te, and amid an ongoing dispute between China and Taiwan over a fatal boat incident.

Taiwan remains vigilant in the face of these provocations, emphasizing the need for heightened surveillance and preparedness to respond to potential threats.