Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which started in 2022, the international community has been reassessing the dynamics of modern warfare, with particular attention given to the substantial role of drones.
After the first few weeks of the invasion, the eyes of the international community turned to Taiwan, and asked, was Taiwan next?
The initial days of the conflict in Ukraine have served as a clear reminder of the transformative power of drones in asymmetric warfare.
The effective and intense deployment of drones by Ukrainian forces disrupted and delayed Russian advancement.
Furthermore, drone deployment also exhibited the potency of these drones in modern combat environments.
This effective use of drones within the context of modern warfare highlighted the significance of technological innovation in the face of evolving threats.
For Taiwan, the conflict in Ukraine has prompted vital reflection and proactive measures to enhance its defense posture.
With the international spotlight turning toward the nation amid rising tensions with China, Taiwanese decisionmakers have been confronted with a pressing question: Could drones contribute to the nation’s defense against a potential Chinese attack?
The disparity in drone capabilities between Taiwan and China has become a cause for concern. While China has made remarkable achievements in drone development and deployment, Taiwan has found itself lagging behind China in drone inventory.
This situation has raised questions about Taiwan’s ability to effectively counter emerging security challenges, and the urgency of addressing this technological gap has become increasingly apparent.
To this end, in mid-2022, Taiwan embarked on a multifaceted strategy to close the drone gap with China. In line with this strategy, Taiwan initiated the establishment of the Drone National Team, comprising nine local drone makers.
This collaborative endeavor, supported by government subsidies covering up to 50 percent of research and development costs, showed Taiwan’s commitment to accelerating its drone capabilities.
Moreover, in its National Defense Report last year, the Ministry of National Defense highlighted the pivotal role of drones in Taiwan’s defense strategy.
In addition, it designated a plan to acquire 700 military-grade and 7,000 commercial-grade drones by 2028, alongside an intended deployment of 3,200 drones by the middle of this year.
With all these proactive initiatives, Taiwan has been signaling its willingness to bolster its defense capabilities in the face of evolving threats.
Nevertheless, the path to domestic drone development is always filled with exhausting challenges and Taiwan was not an exception.
Head of the Central Emergency Operation Center, Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), made a statement following the biggest earthquake in 25 years which shed light on the limitations of Taiwan’s drone capabilities.
Since the capability of domestic drone equipment was not sufficient to conduct search-and-rescue operations in Hualien County’s Taroko Gorge, Taiwan accepted assistance from a Turkish drone team.
The need for external drone expertise and assistance underscores the complexity of drone technology and the importance of leveraging international partnerships.
Although Taiwan boasts a remarkable reputation as a global high-tech powerhouse, the development of advanced drone capabilities requires more than technological prowess and vast financial resources.
Active participation in combat settings or close cooperation with countries having extensive experience in drone development and deployment in combat are two of the most effective pathways to progress.
From this point of view, Taiwan has chosen the latter and the only viable option by forging strategic partnerships in the national drone development initiative with some European countries, the US, Israel and Turkey.
These collaborations offer valuable opportunities for know-how transfer and joint research-and-development initiatives, thus boosting Taiwan’s drone capabilities.
The recent cooperation with the Turkish drone team for the earthquake search-and-rescue operations serves as a prime example of the advantage of cooperation with international partners.
Lin’s remark about the Turkish team’s advanced expertise in operating drones underscores the importance of leveraging external resources to augment Taiwan’s domestic capabilities effectively.
Particularly, the involvement of companies such as Fly BVLOS Technology which sent the drone team for search-and-rescue efforts, highlights the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships in drone development.
With existing ties to Taiwan’s UAV Technology Center and a track record of successful collaboration, Fly BVLOS Technology exemplifies the promise of cross-border cooperation in advancing drone capabilities.
As the nation faces the complexities of an uncertain geopolitical landscape, Taiwan must learn lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, and recalibrate its defense in line with technological innovations such as the effective deployment of unmanned systems.
In essence, Taiwan’s national drone development initiative represents a proactive response to emerging security challenges, driven by a recognition of the transformative potential of drones in modern warfare.
By embracing international cooperation, fostering innovation and investing in strategic partnerships, Taiwan is seeking to fortify its defense capabilities and uphold its sovereignty in the face of evolving threats.
Harun Talha Ayanoglu is a doctorate candidate at National Chengchi University and a Taiwan Center for Security Studies research assistant. His research interests are climate change and non-state political violence.
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