TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is establishing its first Army drone units this year and will incorporate unmanned surface vehicles in its Navy, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said in a Wall Street Journal interview.
The country is preparing its military for a potential invasion by China, which has ramped up military activity in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s marines have already turned some tank and artillery battalions into drone squads, according to Koo.
“It would be best if China wakes up every day feeling like ‘today’s just not the day to invade,’” he said.
The military plans to buy more than 3,200 drones from domestic companies within five years, per WSJ. Taiwan produced approximately 10,000 drones last year, WSJ cited the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology in Taipei.
Though this ambitious goal will help Taiwan transition its defense strategy into a more asymmetric one, China’s dominant presence in the global drone supply chain has made scaling production difficult, WSJ said. Thus, Taiwan is building up its domestic drone industry and cooperating with global partners to form non-Chinese supply chains.
Taiwan is receiving help from the US to increase its drone market size and capability, according to WSJ.
“The US has indeed provided strong support in this area because it wants us to have local production capabilities,” Koo said. “This could refer to certain technologies…being transferred to us, allowing local private companies to handle production” that does not use Chinese components, he said.
Taiwan’s National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology has developed the Chien Hsiang anti-radiation loitering munition, which can travel up to 1,000 kilometers and reach a speed of 500 to 600 kph when diving toward a target. Mass production has already begun at a rate of 48 per year.
NCSIST is also developing two other types of munitions. The first type, dubbed the “Taiwanese Switchblade,” has a control range of over 10 kilometers and a hover time of more than 15 minutes.
It is equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors and high-explosive warheads and is easily carried and operated by soldiers. It is designed to target high-value and high-threat targets such as enemy personnel and vehicles. The Navy has placed orders for the loitering munition, as final testing and verification of the first variant are ongoing.
The second type has a multi-launch feature for swarm attacks, and its launch compartments can be stacked and mounted on vehicles. The munition has day-and-night attack capabilities and can operate autonomously or be controlled by a soldier. Additionally, its propulsion system can run on gasoline or hybrid power.
Meanwhile, Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation recently unveiled the nation’s first military unmanned surface vehicle (USV), the “Endeavor Manta.” Measuring 8.6 meters in length and 3.7 meters in width, the Endeavor Manta has a payload capacity exceeding one tonne and a top speed of over 64.82 kph. It features AI target recognition and anti-hijacking functions.
NCSIST is also testing its “Kuai Chi” attack unmanned surface vehicle prototype. It is planning to conduct joint USV trials with private manufacturers this June against the prototype.
The trials will evaluate nine key metrics, including remote control capabilities, payload capacity, and maritime performance. NCSIST plans to partner with private industry to deliver the highest standard of attack USV for military use.
