Taipei, August 10: Taiwan is gearing up to counter any potential military actions from China by preparing a substantial fleet of drones and unmanned attack boats. A recent media report indicates that Taipei is rapidly adopting strategies learned from Ukraine.
According to The New York Times, these drones and unmanned vessels aim to detect and strike Chinese forces advancing towards Taiwan. Taiwanese soldiers are being trained to quickly reposition and take action before any Chinese assault.
The report states that U.S. military officials developing this strategy refer to it as ‘Hellscape.’ The goal is to create such a significant risk for any invading army through continuous waves of drones, missiles, and artillery that Chinese leadership will think twice before launching an attack.
The threat to Taiwan is deemed serious. China, located about 110 miles away, considers this self-governing island as part of its territory. Chinese leaders have not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under their control.
The report highlights that Taiwan is inspired by Ukraine’s ‘David versus Goliath’ strategy, which involves using low-cost, fast-operating drones to balance against a much larger and more powerful adversary.
Many experts believe that the Chinese military is not yet strong enough to easily launch an attack on Taiwan. Additionally, recent actions and changes in the leadership of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have affected its preparedness. However, like Taiwan, China is also expanding its fleet of unmanned aircraft and vessels while heavily investing in technologies to detect and neutralize drones.
According to the report, the Taiwanese government aims to produce 100,000 drones monthly by 2030, with about half intended for export. The government seeks to establish Taiwan as a significant global player in the drone industry. Furthermore, the Taiwanese military is working on acquiring 210,000 aerial and maritime drones.
Retired Australian Major General Mick Ryan, who has studied the defense strategies of Ukraine and Taiwan, notes that Ukraine’s success in long-range attacks indicates that if China attacks via sea, Taiwan could also target ships leaving Chinese ports.
The report emphasizes that merely purchasing drones will not suffice for Taiwan. To fully harness drone warfare capabilities, significant changes in military structure, training, and combat strategies are necessary.
Experts suggest that Taiwan must learn to operate large numbers of drones simultaneously, analyze the information they provide rapidly, and share it instantly. Additionally, it must ensure that the enemy cannot neutralize these drones, requiring soldiers to become more mobile and self-sufficient.
The report also mentions that Taiwan recently established a ‘Littoral Combat Command’ to integrate drones, mobile missile systems, and artillery, creating a coastal defense shield against potential Chinese attacks.
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