Taiwan and the United States are planning to launch cooperation in the development of drones. On September 22, 26 American drone manufacturers arrived in Taiwan to visit the military, research institutes, and local companies, aiming to establish a “non-Red supply chain.” This development was reported by the UK’s Financial Times.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Taiwanese government began efforts to build a “drone national team,” marking 2022 as the first year of significant development for Taiwan’s drone industry.
The Chung Teh Institute, a Taiwanese research foundation, stated in a report that the Ukraine-Russia conflict provided new insights, highlighting the importance of drones in national security. Additionally, the U.S. proposal of “de-DJI-ification” has expanded cooperation between Taiwan and its allies such as the U.S., Japan, and South Korea in another critical technological area apart from semiconductor chips.
Regarding the potential of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in drones to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan, Su Ziyun, the Director of the Institute of Strategic and Resource Studies at Taiwan’s National Defense University, emphasized that defense operations cannot rely solely on one equipment type. Collaborating with the U.S. to design and manufacture drones will enhance defense capabilities in the Taiwan Strait. However, relying solely on drones to deter a Chinese attack would be a risky approach.
Su Ziyun mentioned that Taiwan-U.S. drone cooperation presents several benefits, including supplementing U.S. production capabilities, technology sharing with Taiwan, and meeting the future demand for expendable drones in combat situations.
Former Secretary-General of the Asian Innovation Drone Manufacturers Association, Li Zhongzhi, highlighted that drones should be viewed as a new addition to traditional weapons rather than a complete replacement, emphasizing the importance of enhancing conventional military capabilities in Taiwan.
In the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan involving drones from both sides, Su Ziyun explained that Taiwan would rely on counter-drone equipment, creating a virtual electronic battlefield. Strengthening Taiwan’s countermeasures could neutralize Chinese drone capabilities.
When asked about the recent drone attacks in Ukraine and Russia, Su Ziyun stated that drones can significantly reduce risks for operational personnel and enhance combat efficiency when remotely controlled from the rear.
Li Zhongzhi pointed out the diverse applications of drones across different branches of the military, emphasizing the continuous development of new drone models and capabilities based on evolving tactical needs.
The data indicates that Chinese companies like DJI and Daotong dominate over 77% of the U.S. hobbyist drone market and over 90% of the commercial drone market.
Su Ziyun emphasized that while the U.S. leads in drone design, China excels in technology, and Taiwan holds a strong position in component manufacturing, particularly with advanced chip technologies.
However, Li Zhongzhi noted that Taiwan should focus on developing aircraft industry capabilities to achieve breakthroughs in drone development for military use, surpassing current technological levels.
Regarding frequent Chinese drone surveillances around Taiwan’s islands, Defense Minister Gu Lixiong stated that the Taiwanese military would employ standard procedures to counter Chinese gray-zone provocations.
With drones circling over Taiwan’s outlying islands in recent months, likely targeting Taiwanese soldiers stationed there, Su Ziyun suggested that China was using drones for reconnaissance with remote cameras or to collect electronic signals through satellites.
During peacetime, Taiwan can employ passive defenses such as frequency hopping spread spectrum to mislead enemy drones. However, during wartime, active measures are essential to neutralize and disrupt enemy drone operations.
Li Zhongzhi stressed that there are established rules of engagement for drones globally. If enemy drones breach Taiwanese airspace, the right to self-defense can be exercised according to international conventions to safeguard national sovereignty.