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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Taiwan bets on drone 'hellscape' to deter possible Chinese invasion

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwan is accelerating efforts to build fleets of drones and unmanned attack boats to deter a potential Chinese invasion.
  • The strategy, dubbed a "hellscape" by US commanders, aims to overwhelm an invading force with a swarm of drones, missiles, and artillery.
  • The island aims to become a drone industry superpower, producing 100,000 drones monthly by 2030, with half for export.

Taiwan is rapidly developing a "hellscape" strategy to deter a potential Chinese invasion, leveraging fleets of drones and unmanned attack boats. This approach, inspired by lessons from Ukraine, aims to make an amphibious assault prohibitively risky for China by overwhelming invading forces with a swarm of drones, missiles, and artillery.

Our drone and counter-drone efforts started relatively late, and initially we were trying things out as we went along.

— Huang Wen-chiDirector general of strategic planning for the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, commenting on the acceleration of drone development.

Taiwan's military recently showcased its drone capabilities during annual Han Kuang exercises, practicing reconnaissance and counter-drone tactics. The defense ministry acknowledges a late start in drone development but has accelerated efforts over the past two years. "Our drone and counter-drone efforts started relatively late, and initially we were trying things out as we went along," said Huang Wen-chi, director general of strategic planning for the Taiwanese Defense Ministry.

The island faces an urgent threat from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has been increasing military pressure. Taiwanese officials are emulating Ukraine's "David-versus-Goliath" approach, using cost-effective drones to counter a much larger adversary. "Drones are entering a new chapter," noted Max Lo, chair of the Taiwan National Drone Industry Association. "Taiwan, for its own survival and national defense, is in urgent need of these drones."

Drones are entering a new chapter. Taiwan, for its own survival and national defense, is in urgent need of these drones. But it’s the same everywhere in the world right now – that’s an opportunity for Taiwan.

— Max LoChair of the Taiwan National Drone Industry Association, highlighting the global drone revolution and Taiwan's specific needs.

Taiwan aims to become a drone industry superpower, with government plans to produce 100,000 drones per month by 2030, exporting half. The military also plans to acquire over 210,000 flying and seaborne drones. Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan, who studies Ukraine and Taiwan, believes drones will be crucial in all phases of a potential conflict, suggesting Taiwan could even strike ships leaving Chinese ports.

Taiwan has realised that drones will be important in all the domains, in all the phases

— Mick RyanRetired Australian major general and fellow at the Lowy Institute, discussing the role of drones in a potential war with China.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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