Reflecting On The Russian-Ukraine War And China's Anticipation Of Threats, Taiwan Accelerates Drone Development

Taiwanese Chung Shyang II drone. (Wikimedia Commons/Kliu1)

JAKARTA - Taiwan will accelerate drone development for military use, taking into account lessons from the Russian-Ukraine war and the threats posed by China, the country's Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday.

The drone has played an important role on both sides since Russia launched a massive invasion of Ukraine in February last year. Ukraine's defense minister said he considered drones a modern war future.

Taiwan, which faces growing threats from China to use force to carry it under Beijing's control, has repeatedly said it is observing war closely and learning lessons that can be learned to counter Chinese attacks, including how Ukraine has fought far greater forces.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang told reporters Taiwan would accelerate drone development and production.

"Responding to the current enemy threat and using the drone's general experience in the Ukraine-Russian war, to build asymmetric combat forces for our country's drones, the Ministry of Defense accelerates research and development and production of various types of drones," Sun explained as quoted by Reuters on February 7.

The military-owned Chung-Shan National Institute of Science and Technology is leading the lead in encouraging development and will involve civilian companies, he added.

Meanwhile, Chi Li-ping, director of the institute's Aviation System Research Division, detailed that drones are in development for the military, including for reconnaissance purposes.

"Our country's drones have reached international standards in terms of relevant types, abilities, and technologies," he explained.

In a report to parliament last year, the institute drafted plans for missile and drone development, while the Ministry of Defense had previously announced plans to start producing unspecified "drone attacks".

It is known that Taiwan must also deal with China's unmanned aircraft that propagate on Taiwan-controlled islands off the coast of China.