Learning from Ukraine, Taiwan shows off new drones
STORY: These are Taiwan's new, high-tech military drones.
Learning from the current war in Ukraine, Taiwan has felt a renewed sense of urgency to bolster its defenses.
The country says the drones are key to improving its "asymmetric warfare" capacity, where the resources between those involved in a conflict are uneven.
They hope the technology will enhance the agility of its forces, should they ever have to face China's far larger military.
China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has ramped up military activity near the democratically governed island in an effort to force it to accept Chinese sovereignty.
Taiwan's armed forces are well-equipped, but are still dwarfed by China's.
The latest models of the domestically produced drones were displayed at the military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.
Here's Chi Li-Pin, director of Aeronautical Systems Research Division for the organization.
“Bold use is one of the options available to us. That is why the Ministry of Defence has introduced the commercial and military grade UAVs for military use. I hope our national troops can familiarize themselves with this weapon of asymmetric warfare and use them boldly.”
Taiwan's military has announced a partnership with companies aimed at producing 3,000 drones next year.
Among the items on display was an attack drone with loitering munitions, that can cruise towards a target before plummeting at velocity, and detonating on impact, as well as surveillance drones.
Taiwan's defense ministry claims China has sent its drones to areas close to the island to test its responses.
It added in a report to parliament this week that China was quickly building up its combat capacity with drones, including swarms of flying robots.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
